Ukraine brings back Azovstal, Chornobyl defenders from Russian captivity
The successful operation brings the total number of freed Ukrainians to over 3,900.
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prisoner exchange
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Ukraine documents 177 POW executions by Russian forces as war crime videos surge
Russian forces increasingly shoot and share their execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war videos, with confirmed cases more than doubling in 2024 amid international inaction.
Russia offers largest yet 630-for-630 POW swap to Ukraine
The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson reportedly announced this, stating that Russia leaves it to Ukraine to decide which Russian military personnel to include in exchanges.
Ukraine captures sole survivor of Russian assault – an Egyptian IT student
Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast capture an Egyptian IT student who, after receiving a Russian passport, Russia conscripted and deployed to the front.
95 Ukrainian defenders return from Russian captivity, including Azov fighters and POWs facing life sentences
Among those released was Maksym Butkevych, a Ukrainian human rights activist and serviceman, who was captured near Luhansk in 2022 and sentenced to 13 years in Russia. The exchange also saw the return of Vladyslav Andrianov, an Azov fighter who survived the Olenivka prison massacre and faced a 25-year sentence in Russia.
Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna confirmed dead in Russian captivity
Roshchyna, a journalist working with RFE/RL, went missing in August 2023 while traveling to occupied territories and was slated for a prisoner exchange.
Ukraine swaps 103 POWs, including 23 Azovstal defenders from Azov Brigade
Ukraine exchanged POWs with Russia, bringing home 103 defenders, including 82 privates and sergeants, and 21 officers. The freed soldiers are from various military units, with many held captive since the all-out war's early days.
Ukraine returns 115 prisoners of war on Independence Day, first exchange after Kursk incursion
This POWs exchange includes 82 defenders of Mariupol, captured in the early months of the full-scale invasion. President Zelenskyy thanked military units for replenishing Ukraine's "exchange fund," enabling the return of 115 defenders.
Frontline report: Russia initiates POW exchange talks after Ukraine captures 2,000+ Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast
Ukraine captured over 2,000 Russian soldiers in Kursk, prompting Russia to initiate prisoner exchange negotiations for the first time. Ukrainian Military Intelligence prioritizes the return of seriously wounded, ill individuals, and long-term captives, while Russian focus remains on conscripts.
Germany releases Russian hitman, enabling largest post-Cold War prisoner exchange
Germany's decision to release Vadim Krasikov, a Russian assassin convicted of a Chechen rebel murder in Berlin, proved crucial and ordered by Putin himself in facilitating a major West-Russia prisoner exchange, initially aimed at freeing Aleksei Navalny, but instead returning other high-profile political prisoners and dissidents in exchange for spies and cybercriminals.
Ministry announces program to swap convicted Russian collaborators for Ukrainian POWs
Ukraine has announced a project to exchange convicted collaborationists for Ukrainian POWs, publicizing info about Russian agents and allowing them to agree to these exchanges.
95 Ukrainian prisoners of war return from Russian captivity, including Azovstal defenders
Many of the 95 Ukrainian servicemen released in the 17 July exchange are grappling with injuries and chronic illnesses, which sheds light on the harsh conditions in the Russian captivity, according to the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters.
UAE mediates new prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine
In a diplomatic breakthrough, Russia and Ukraine are set to exchange 180 prisoners in a deal facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine returns 90 more prisoners of war from Russian captivity, including defenders of Mariupol
Among the released Ukrainian servicemen are 59 defenders of Mariupol, particularly from Azovstal, and five National Guardsmen of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant.
ISW: Russia exploits POW swaps to undermine support for Ukraine
Russia's accusations against Ukraine are seen as a tactic to obscure its own war crimes and disrupt Ukrainian decision-making.
Ukrainian military band members held captive in Russia for two years, says ministry
The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy reports that members of three Ukrainian military bands are still being held captive by Russia after being captured in Mariupol in 2022.
Pope calls for prisoner exchange “all for all”; Ukraine responds: Russia doesn’t want it
Pope Francis calls for an "all for all" prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine in his traditional Easter address. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War responds that while they are ready, Russia is unwilling to repatriate its own people.
Ukraine returns home 207 POWs (photos)
Ukraine returns home 207 POWs in this year's second large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia.
Ukraine conducts largest prisoner exchange since Russian full-scale invasion’s start
On 3 January, Ukraine returned 230 military personnel and civilians from Russian captivity after "the most difficult" negotiation process.
Ukrainian religious scholar who survived Russian captivity dies at the age of 69
In Kyiv, people said goodbye to Ukrainian scientist and religious scholar Ihor Kozlovsky, who died on 6 September 2023. The funeral and memorial services were held in St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery on 9 September 2023.