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In the complex landscape of the ongoing conflict, the exchange and capture of hostages remain pivotal issues. Recent events highlight the 72nd prisoner swap, where 175 Ukrainian servicemen and 7 civilians were freed. The Coordination Headquarters has actively facilitated these exchanges, often coinciding with significant national dates, such as Easter. Meanwhile, operational stories unfold, with heroic captures by Ukrainian forces. For instance, Ukrainian unmanned aerial units have been instrumental in securing Russian soldiers' surrenders, showcasing technological superiority. As hostilities continue, the exchange of prisoners — now tallying over 8,000 returnees in four years — underscores diplomatic efforts to resolve humanitarian concerns amid hostilities.

How many Ukrainians have returned from Russian captivity so far?

As of the latest reports, over 8,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity over the past four years. This significant number reflects ongoing diplomatic and military efforts to facilitate prisoner swaps amid the enduring conflict.

What was the outcome of the recent prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia?

The recent 72nd prisoner exchange resulted in the release of 175 Ukrainian servicemen and 7 civilians. This underscores continuous diplomatic negotiations and the importance of humanitarian efforts in the ongoing conflict.

What role do unmanned aerial units play in capturing hostages?

Unmanned aerial units, particularly Ukrainian drones, have played a critical role in compelling Russian soldiers to surrender. These advanced technologies provide strategic advantages in surveillance, negotiation, and reducing direct combat risks.

Are there any recent examples of Ukrainian forces capturing Russian soldiers?

Yes, Ukrainian forces consistently demonstrate tactical prowess in capturing Russian troops. For instance, special operations units successfully captured Russian soldiers during stabilization efforts in regions like Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, increasing negotiation leverage for exchanges.

What are the challenges faced in the prisoner exchange negotiations?

Negotiations for prisoner exchanges often face challenges such as political tensions, compliance with ceasefire agreements, and logistical complexities. Nonetheless, they remain a crucial component of diplomatic efforts to protect human rights amid conflict.

How does Ukraine ensure the safety of returned hostages?

After returning from captivity, Ukrainian authorities focus on providing medical care, psychological assistance, and reintegration programs to help former hostages recover from their ordeals and reintegrate into civilian life.

What impact do successful capture operations have on the conflict?

Successful capture operations by Ukrainian forces not only disrupt enemy communications and morale but also bolster Ukraine’s bargaining power in subsequent prisoner exchange negotiations, showcasing military and strategic competence.

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Videos news hostages

A marine’s barehanded fight with the occupier Ukrainian marine Kharkevych recounts capturing occupier: "I’m sitting in pit, and one of bodies runs past in front of me. I hit him in nose with my rifle butt and dragged him in towards me" During a hand-to-hand fight, he captured a Russian soldier and thwarted at least 10 assaults by the Russian army. In May 2025, 27-year-old marine Vasyl Kharkevych from the village of Maleve in the Rivne region received the "Golden Star" Hero of Ukraine from Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hands. 6 082 7 Previously in trend: Awarding the title Hero of Ukraine

war "Joy" of freed captive occupiers turned out to be staged Another exposé of the Russian propaganda machine has been posted online - a draft video showing the staged emotions of Russian soldiers released from captivity during the exchange. 28 551 76 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Zelenskyy’s address There is agreement that prisoner exchanges will continue next week, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that prisoner exchanges would continue next week, at least this is the agreement. 863 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Zelenskyy’s address

prisoner exchange Defenders liberated from captivity have injuries and health problems, most of them are Mariupol defenders, most of them are officers - Coordination Center Today, the next stage of a large exchange of prisoners in the category of "wounded and seriously ill" took place in accordance with the agreements in Istanbul. 3 250 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

occupier Captured by Ukrainian Armed Forces, occupier admits to being satanist – returned to Russia in POW swap While Kremlin propaganda claims that Russia is waging war in Ukraine "for the Orthodox faith," some occupying soldiers in its own army turn out to be satanists. One of them, Danil Sergeevich Garan, was captured by Ukraine’s Armed Forces and returned to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange on June 9. 7 072 26 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

war Security Service of Ukraine releases exclusive footage of POW swap On June 9, Ukraine carried out another prisoner exchange. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) released exclusive photos and videos from the event, capturing emotional moments of Ukrainian defenders returning home. 5 936 4 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Prisoner exchange on 24 May Second stage of "1000 for 1000" exchange: Ukraine returns 307 defenders On 24 May, another 307 Ukrainian servicemen returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. This is the second stage of the 1000-for-1000 exchange. 7 101 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Prisoner swap was only meaningful outcome of meeting in Türkiye. Russia is blocking everything else, says Zelenskyy The large-scale prisoner exchange based on the "1000-for-1000" formula, the first stage of which took place on May 23, was described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the "only meaningful outcome" of the negotiations in Türkiye. According to the Head of State, Russia is blocking everything else. 2 530 31 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap on 23 May "Hi, I’m alive and well": first calls from Ukrainian soldiers to families after release from Russian captivity Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity under the first stage of the large-scale "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange are calling their loved ones for the first time after their release. 3 514 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Two Russian soldiers were captured by the State Border Guard Service in the Kupiansk direction. Posing as Ukrainian troops: Two ruscists captured on Kupiansk direction Soldiers from the "Pomsta" Brigade captured two servicemen from the Russian military unit "Storm-Z" on the Kupiansk direction. 7 260 19 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Ukrainian military captured mercenary from Senegal Ukrainian troops capture mercenary from Senegal in Toretsk sector Ukrainian soldiers from the 49th separate assault battalion "Carpathian Sich" captured an African mercenary from Senegal. 6 618 38 Previously in trend: AFU capture mercenary

war National Guardsmen captured Russian invaders in Kupyansk sector Soldiers of the 15th "Kara-Dag" Brigade of the 1st "Azov" Corps of the National Guard captured the occupiers in the Kupyansk direction. The infantrymen conducted a "reception" of enemy personnel. The occupiers surrendered without firing a shot. 3 831 2 Previously in trend: Situation at front

National Guard captures Russian infantry in Kupiansk sector National Guard captures Russian infantrymen in Kupiansk direction In the Kupyansk direction, fighters of the 2nd operational battalion of the 15th brigade of the Kara-Dag NGU captured a group of Russian infantry. 9 603 20 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

captured occupier Our paratroopers captured nine Russian soldiers in Kursk region Nine servicemen of the Russian army were captured by Ukrainian paratroopers and their allies in the Kursk region. The prisoners were provided with timely medical and psychological assistance. 10 497 29 Previously in trend: Fighting in Kursk and Sumy regions AFU captured occupiers in Kursk region

Russian surrenders Occupier on battlefield raises his hands up in air and looks into camera of Ukrainian drone The Russian on the battlefield raised his hands up in the air and surrendered to the Ukrainian drone. 7 481 10 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

occupier surrenders Occupier surrenders to Ukrainian drone After a direct hit on a Russian dugout, an enemy soldier decides to surrender to a drone. 5 139 20 Previously in trend: Drones against occupiers captured occupiers

Ukrainian Armed Forces captured two Chinese nationals in Donetsk region Two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia taken prisoner in Donetsk region – Zelenskyy Ukrainian defenders captured two Chinese nationals in the Donetsk region. They fought as part of the Russian army. 16 061 93 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals

Interview with captured Russian officer Сompany commander from St Petersburg surrendered with his subordinates. Lieutenant Vladislav Balgrabsky Lieutenant Vladislav Balgrabsky, a company commander of the Russian army, withdrew the remnants of his company from their position in Kharkiv region and voluntarily surrendered to the fighters of the 13th National Guard Brigade "Charter" along with his subordinates. 31 139 41 Previously in trend: interview with captured occupier captured occupiers

Belarusian mercenaries of Russian army Ukrainian soldiers capture three Belarusian mercenaries of the Russian army Ukrainian soldiers captured three Belarusians who fought for the Russians. 12 287 31 Previously in trend: Unification of Russia and Belarus

interview with captured Russian Captured Russian: "Prices were raised for everything. We didn’t have enough money... I signed contract. My wife said I was f#cking idiot" A video has been published online showing fragments of a conversation with a captured Russian, Vladimir Shayakhmetov, from the 1232nd Separate Motorised Rifle Regiment. 10 074 30 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

The 3rd assault brigade captured the occupier Soldiers of 3rd SAB forced occupier to surrender using drone and chocolate bar A new story of the successful capture of a Russian occupier using a drone in the Kharkiv region. 5 736 18 Previously in trend: Drones against occupiers

prisoner of war russian army chasiv yar Occupiers practice group self-mutilation to avoid "meat" assaults: "We bunch up, throw RGD-5 and immediately call in on radio: "Bird threw at us!" The occupiers are resorting to group self-mutilation to avoid death in "meat" assaults. 6 474 14 Previously in trend: War Battles for Chasiv Yar Rally in front of US Embassy in Kyiv

sof captured the occupiers Ukrainian troops capture nine occupiers in Pokrovsk sector Operators of the 144th Centre of the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated an industrial building from enemies and captured nine Russian servicemen in the Pokrovsk sector. 8 955 8 Previously in trend: War Fighting in the east

red cross provides condoms to russian prisoners of war Red Cross provides condoms to Russian POWs, while they complain about absence of Olivier salad on camp menu and lack of vitamins in medical unit Representatives of the international humanitarian movement Red Cross provide condoms to Russian POWs held in Ukrainian camps. 58 232 57 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs

Soldiers unloading trophy Russians Soldiers on infantry fighting vehicle returned from combat mission and brought two captured Russians: "Jump, fu#k! Second one, f#ck! Who’s wounded?" Soldiers of the 117th SMB and territorial defenders from the 109th Brigade brought two captured Russian soldiers from a combat mission. 15 724 22 Previously in trend: War

Russians shot Ukrainian prisoners Russian officer gives order to shoot captured Ukrainian soldiers: "Leave one, zero rest!" A video showing Russian soldiers shooting captured Ukrainian soldiers was published online. 26 417 53 Previously in trend: War

occupier Oleg Yakovlev, who shot the captured soldiers of Armed Forces of Ukraine Occupier who shot captured Ukrainian soldiers has been identified: Oleg Yakovlev, "Storm" unit of 30th Brigade of Russian Army, call sign "Sarah" Information about a Russian war criminal who shot captured Ukrainian soldiers appeared online. 26 076 51

A Russian under the surveillance of a drone walks into captivity Occupier waves cheerfully to Ukrainian drone and strides briskly into captivity Border guards captured a Russian occupier using a drone. 12 073 21

war crimes of Russian troops Russians shooting captured Ukrainian soldiers The occupiers shot at least six captured soldiers after seizing a Ukrainian position. 51 912 245

drone with loudspeaker convinced Russian to surrender Russian obeyed Ukrainian drone with loudspeaker, raised his hands in air and walked into captivity Soldiers of the 63rd Separate Mechanised Brigade captured the occupier in the Serebrianskyi Forest, calling on him to surrender using a drone equipped with a loudspeaker. 9 557 20

captive occupier Eskimo Azov Brigade fighters capture an Eskimo from Magadan During the hostilities in the Toretsk direction, fighters of the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov National Guard captured a soldier of the Russian Armed Forces. He turned out to be a member of Russia's national minority, the Eskimo people. 16 008 67

paratroopers captured Russians. Nine pieces Fighters laid nine captured Russians in courtyard of private farm and began their initial interrogation Ukrainian paratroopers captured nine Russian soldiers. 18 192 19

Сaptured North Korean Ukrainian investigators continue to communicate with captured soldiers from DPRK, - Zelenskyy Communication between captured soldiers from North Korea and Ukrainian investigators continues. 4 695 21

Russian POWs Our paratroopers captured 3 occupiers and evacuated 13 civilians in Kurakhove direction Three small assault groups of the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade, each consisting of 4 paratroopers, launched an attack at dawn on January 1 in the Kurakhove direction. 4 589 7 Previously in trend: War

Zelenskyy Ukraine is ready to hand over its captured soldiers to DPRK if Kim Jong-un organizes return of Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to hand over its soldiers to DPRK dictator Kim Jong Un if he can arrange an exchange for our soldiers held captive in Russia. 9 960 80

medical assistance to occupiers in captivity Ukrainian medic argues with and helps captured Russian: "Buryat, b#tch. F#cking Yakutia" A video recording of a fragment of medical care provided to a captured Russian was published online. 18 981 51 Previously in trend: War

Coordination Center on the exchange of prisoners of war on December 30 One of largest exchanges since beginning of full-scale invasion took place today, 173 privates and sergeants and 14 officers were released - Coordination Center On Monday, 30 December, 189 citizens were released and returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Among those who returned are prisoners of war in the Kursk region, civilians, and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. 7 627 21

Soldiers escorting prisoners Drone operators watching convoy of occupiers’ prisoners: "They’re coming. It was ours who had just took 13 or 14 f#ggots" Ukrainian soldiers captured a group of 14 occupiers in one of the combat areas. 9 117 8 Previously in trend: War

soldiers of the third SAB captured the Russians Soldiers of 3rd SAB capture enemy position and take seven occupiers prisoner The soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade (SAB), supported by two tanks, attacked the enemy position and captured seven occupiers. 9 487 9 Previously in trend: War

Paratroopers of 77th Airborne Brigade captured 11 occupiers. Among them is Belarusian 77 Separate Airmobile Brigade captures 11 occupiers: one of them is citizen of Belarus The soldiers of the 77th separate airmobile Naddniprianska brigade, together with other units, captured 11 Russian invaders. 8 198 16 Previously in trend: War

Russians show video of interrogation of Australian allegedly captured in war in Ukraine Russia releases video of interrogation of Australian allegedly captured in Ukraine: country verifies information Russian propagandists have spread a video showing an Australian citizen allegedly captured during the fighting in Ukraine being interrogated. Australia is currently checking the authenticity of the video and identifying the man. 6 806 9 Previously in trend: War

occupier surrenders in Toretsk sector Two soldiers captured five occupiers in battle in Toretsk sector Two soldiers of the 28th SMB named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign captured five occupiers in a battle in the Toretsk sector. 7 705 16 Previously in trend: War

Russians ordered execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war We were ordered not to take anyone prisoner, to shoot everyone - occupier during interrogation at SBS The Russian military received an order to shoot Ukrainian prisoners of war. 12 042 25 Previously in trend: War

Paratroopers captured 11 Russians in Kursk region Soldiers of 80th Air Assault Brigade capture 11 Russian servicemen in Kursk region Soldiers of the 80th Separate Air Assault Galician Brigade captured 11 Russian soldiers during a battle in the Kursk region. 12 177 16 Previously in trend: War

SOF fighters capture marines of 810th brigade SOF fighters eliminated 17 Russians and captured 12 during attack on enemy position in Kursk region of Russia: "Hands behind your head, bitch!" During an attack on enemy positions in the Kursk region, the Special Forces operators from the 73rd Marine Centre and the 6th "Ranger" Regiment killed 17 Russians and captured 12 more. 14 344 15 Previously in trend: War

Ukrainian Special Forces raid Russian positions in Kursk region Special Operations Soldiers of SOF conducted raid in Kursk region and captured 8 occupiers, eliminated 7 more Special Operations Soldiers of SOF conducted a successful operation behind enemy lines, destroying Russian troops and capturing the occupiers. 7 785 9 Previously in trend: War

captured, russians Fighters captured four Russian marines in Kursk region: "Thanks to Yozhyk and Simba for taking us out unharmed" Soldiers of the 252nd Battalion in Kursk region captured four Russian marines from the 40th Brigade. 9 734 22 Previously in trend: War

Galician paratroopers take 11 occupiers prisoner Galician paratroopers capture 11 Russian invaders in battle in Kursk region During a battle in the Kursk region, soldiers of the 80th separate air assault brigade captured 11 Russian soldiers. 11 201 28 Previously in trend: War