prisoner exchange

Uncertainty surrounds fate of Ukrainian POWs in Il-76 crash – MIHR investigation

The presence of Ukrainian prisoners of war on the Il-76 aircraft that crashed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast on Jan. 24, 2024, remains unconfirmed, according to an investigation by the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) released on Jan. 24, 2025.

24 January 2025, 06:57 PM

Russian POWs kept in five locations across Ukraine

Russian prisoners-of-war are held in five specially designated facilities located far away from the frontline, Bohdan Okhrimenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Coordination HQ for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said on Jan. 22.

23 January 2025, 02:13 AM

Families rally in Kyiv urging release of Ukrainian POWs held in Russia

On Jan. 19, near Kyiv's Lybidska metro station, families of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and concerned citizens held a rally to keep the plight of those still detained in Russia at the forefront of public consciousness. Organisers urged Kyiv residents and visitors to join the event, emphasizing the critical issue of prisoner exchanges.

20 January 2025, 07:45 PM

Azov Brigade captures 20+ Russian soldiers in Toretsk sector

Fighters of the National Guard's 12th Special Purpose Azov Brigade captured 23 Russian soldiers in the Toretsk sector, the military wrote on Jan. 16.

16 January 2025, 07:55 AM

Ukraine, Russia agree on regular prisoner exchanges in 2025

Kyiv and Moscow have reached a “preliminary agreement” to make regular prisoner exchanges this year, prioritizing the return of seriously ill and severely wounded POWs, Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets announced on Jan. 6.

6 January 2025, 07:57 PM

Zelenskyy slams Putin over trashed ceasefire deal

It took Russia only one month to violate the ceasefire agreement made during the 2019 Normandy meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman posted on his office's YouTube channel on on Jan. 5.

6 January 2025, 10:30 AM

Orban says Zelenskyy rejected his 'Christmas truce' proposal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has allegedly declined Hungary’s proposal to agree a “Christmas truce” and arrange a major prisoner exchange with Russia, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban said on Dec. 11.

11 December 2024, 10:41 PM

Russia did not return Ukrainian journalist Roshchyna’s body in Nov. 8 exchange

The body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity, was not returned to Ukraine during the most recent repatriation on Nov. 8, according to Ukraine’s Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

8 November 2024, 11:45 PM

Ukrainian military couple captured defending Mariupol shares harrowing story

Andriy and Olena Turas, members of Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade, defended Mariupol at the onset of the invasion before being captured, reports Suspilne Chernihiv on Nov. 5.

5 November 2024, 05:25 PM

Ukraine holds quiet talks with Russia to explore compromise — Die Zeit

Where possible, Ukrainian representatives confidentially hold periodic talks with officials from Russia, the aggressor nation, according to an column by Alisa Botha, political editor at German publication Die Zeit.

3 November 2024, 04:03 PM

Ukraine returns almost 4k citizens from Russian captivity, most requiring medical treatment and rehabilitation — Zelenskyy

Ukraine successfully returned 3,767 citizens from Russian captivity, most required long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation after enduring torture, humiliation, and hunger in Russian prisons, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Oct 21.

21 October 2024, 12:57 PM

Papal envoy arrives in Moscow for talks on returning Ukrainian children and prisoners

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, dispatched by Pope Francis, has arrived in Moscow to mediate the return of deported Ukrainian children and future prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, Vatican News reported on Oct. 14.

14 October 2024, 09:16 PM

Ukraine to present Vatican with list of journalists in Russian captivity — Zelenskyy

Kyiv will give the Vatican a list of Ukrainian journalists imprisoned in Russia, so that the Holy See could mediate their release in future prisoner exchanges, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Oct. 11.

11 October 2024, 10:47 PM

Budanov responsible for POW exchanges with Russia — former HUR head

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), led by Kyrylo Budanov, is responsible for non-kinetic interactions with Russia, including some diplomatic aspects, former HUR chief Valeriy Kondratyuk told NV Radio on Oct. 2.

3 October 2024, 10:31 PM

Ukraine frees over 30 Azov soldiers in exchange, but hundreds still held by Russia

Over two days, on Sep. 13 and 14, more than 30 soldiers from the Azov Regiment were returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity, but nearly 700 Azov fighters remain imprisoned in Russia.This update was shared by Olena Tolkachova, head of the Azov Regiment’s patronage service, during a televised interview on Sep. 15

15 September 2024, 09:35 PM

After over two years in captivity: 23 Azov soldiers return from Russia

Ukraine successfully brought back 23 Azov soldiers from Russian captivity as part of a new prisoner exchange on Sept. 14, according to Olena Tolkachova, head of the Azov Brigade’s patronage service.

14 September 2024, 06:03 PM

Ukraine brings 103 soldiers home in latest prisoner exchange with Russia

Ukraine and Russia carried out a new prisoner exchange, bringing 103 Ukrainians back home on on Saturday, Sep. 14. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, stating that 82 soldiers and sergeants, along with 21 officers, had been freed.

14 September 2024, 03:15 PM

Coordination Headquarters reveals details of 55th POW exchange — photos, video

Ukraine secured the return of conscripts, including 82 Mariupol defenders, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War during the 55th prisoner exchange on Aug. 24.

24 August 2024, 06:12 PM

Defense forces fortify positions, replenish Ukraine’s prisoner exchange fund in Kursk Oblast — Zelenskyy

Defense forces in Kursk Oblast have captured more Russian soldiers, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi reported to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Aug. 17.

17 August 2024, 02:08 PM

Ukrainian offensive in Kursk Oblast forces Russia to be more proactive in prisoner exchange talks — ISW

Ukrainian forces’ advance in Kursk Oblast has pressured Russia to more willingly consider prisoner exchange talks, according to a new report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

17 August 2024, 11:00 AM

prisoner exchange

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