Russian soldiers surrendered because 'abuse in units is worse than captivity,' Ukrainian paratroopers say
Russia's abuse of its own soldiers has been well documented throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Prisoners of war
War’s unseen isolation: A Ukrainian officer’s story of survival and hope
A lot depends on the circumstances under which you try to define or feel your own loneliness. Let me begin with my biography — my recent story. I joined the army in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, as an officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Over half of Azov fighters returned to Ukraine, official says
The confirmed statistic, which includes multiple units who fought to defend the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol, comes amid social media outcry criticizing Ukrainian authorities for failing to return certain captives, including Azov fighters, during the war's largest 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange
Ukrainian Security Service charges captured Russian soldier with executing POWs
According to the SBU, the soldier, a rifleman with Russia's 40th Separate Marine Brigade, participated in the point-blank shooting of two detained Ukrainian servicemen on Jan. 9 near Kursk.
At least 206 Ukrainian soldiers died in Russian captivity amid brutal treatment, AP reports
At least 206 of the 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers repatriated to Ukraine died in Russian captivity, the Associated Press (AP) reported on May 27.
Ukraine captured almost 1,000 Russian soldiers during Kursk offensive, General Staff says
The military described the Kursk campaign as an "unexpected and asymmetric" move that helped fill the so-called "exchange fund" — Ukrainian terminology for captured Russian soldiers who can be traded for Ukrainian POWs.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine concludes 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia; Russian missile, drone attack kills 12, injures 79
Key developments on May 24-25: * Ukraine brings home 303 POWs in final phase of biggest prisoner swap with Russia * Russian missile, drone attack kills 12, injures 79 * US silence 'encourages Putin', Zelensky says after massive Russian attack * Russia losing battlefield edge in war against Ukraine, WP reports * Russia will reveal
Largest-ever Ukrainian-Russian prisoner swap comes under fire for lacking Azov fighters, civilians
As Kyiv completed its largest prisoner exchange of the war on May 25, exchanging 1,000 Ukrainian POWs for 1,000 Russians, some spoke out on social media to criticize authorities for failing to return certain captives.
Ukraine brings home 303 POWs in final phase of biggest prisoner swap with Russia
The prisoner exchange took place in three phases carried out over three days, and was agreed on during peace talks held in Turkey on May 16, the first direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in three years.
Ukraine brings home 307 POWs in 2nd phase of major prisoner swap with Russia
Ukraine has secured the release of 307 Ukrainians from Russian captivity in the second phase of its largest prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 24.
'Shoot them on the spot' — Ukraine's military intel records over 150 cases of Russia executing POWs
The agency noted that this figure includes those cases recorded by HUR, suggesting the actual total may be higher.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap since start of Russia's war
Key developments on May 23: * Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap since start of Russia's war * Ukraine confirms strike on Russian factory making parts for Iskander ballistic missiles, glide bombs * Russian military helicopter crashes in Oryol Oblast * Zelensky slams Russia's delay on peace memorandum as 'mockery of the whole world'
Chaos to coordination: The evolution of POW swaps in the Russia-Ukraine war
The nature, size, and political significance of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have evolved significantly over the three and a half years of the full-scale war, accelerating sharply in recent weeks. While ceasefire and peace negotiations have gone through periods of halts and bursts, increasingly institutionalized prisoner exchanges are
'It’s okay, Mom, I’m home' —Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap of the war
Editor's note: The article incorrectly said that only soldiers were brought back to Ukraine as part of the exchange. Ukraine has brought back home 290 soldiers and 120 civilians. Their eyes fill with tears as they hear people shouting, ‘Thank you!’ and ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ The soldiers have just arrived
Ukraine denies Trump's claim that POW swap with Russia 'completed'
The planned exchange, involving 1,000 detainees from each side, follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.
Ukraine working on 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange with Russia, Zelensky says
"We have to release all our people, unconditionally. We are trying to do the maximum we can. We are trying very hard," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine’s Security Service begins preparations for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia
The planned exchange follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.
Russia sentences Australian fighting for Ukraine to 13 years in prison in sham trial
The so-called Supreme Court of the Russian-controlled Luhansk Oblast found Jenkins guilty under Russian criminal law for participating in armed conflict as a mercenary.
1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange likely to take place next week, Ukraine intelligence chief says
A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia involving around 1,000 POWs from each side is expected to take place next week, Ukraine's military intelligence chief said on air on May 17, following an agreement reached in Istanbul.
‘My heart goes out to the beloved people of Ukraine’ — Pope Leo XIV receives list of Ukrainian POWs at Vatican
The Ukrainian delegation present in the Vatican included the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election.
Ukraine brings home 205 POWs in prisoner exchange with Russia
This marks the fifth known prisoner of war (POWs) swap of 2025 and the 64th since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Ukraine confirms capture of 2 Togolese nationals fighting for Russia
Togo’s Foreign Ministry earlier said the detainees had been misled into leaving the country with promises of scholarships to study in Russia.
Ukraine war latest: Moscow violates 'Easter truce,' Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia
Key developments on April 19-20: * Multiple Russian ceasefire violations reported from front line during Easter ceasefire, Zelensky says * Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia * Ukraine advances in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Zelensky says * Republican US Congressman Fitzpatrick visits Ukraine’s front line, signs a shell for Putin * Russia
Australia will continue to petition Russia for POW's release, PM says
"We'll continue to make representations to the reprehensible regime of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin on behalf of Mr Jenkins," Anthony Albanese told 9News.
Russia 'working hard' to return Wagner POWs, Ukraine's HUR says
Wagner units were key to Russia's seizure of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast in May 2023.
Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia
Another 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home in a major prisoner swap with Russia mediated by the United Arab Emirates, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 19.
Chinese POWs captured by Ukraine on fighting for Russia
The Kyiv Independent attended a press conference with the captured Chinese prisoners of war on April 14 to learn more about their service in the Russian military — and has highlighted the key takeaways for you.
'Everything we heard from Russians was a lie' — Chinese fighters captured by Ukraine speak out
The two Chinese nationals captured when fighting for Russia claimed they weren’t sent to the war by the Chinese government, and described their hardships in the Russian ranks. One of the captives, Wang Guangjun, said he was targeted by Russian "chemical weapons" right after he was taken captive by
Ukraine war latest: US ambassador to Ukraine to resign
Key developments on April 10: * US ambassador to Ukraine to resign, State Department tells Kyiv Independent * 'Before I got there, I had never held a weapon' — Ukraine shows interrogation of Chinese POWs * Ukraine won't accept any limits on its army in talks with Russia, official says * Russia frees woman jailed
Chinese POW says he doesn’t want to return to Russia, hopes to go back to China
The captured fighter also said he was treated better in Ukrainian custody than during his time with Russian forces, according to a new interrogation video published April 10.
Chinese fighters in Russia's ranks reflect 'systemic' recruitment, Zelensky says
The involvement of Chinese nationals in Russia’s war against Ukraine appears to be part of a “systemic” recruitment effort organized by Moscow, not isolated incidents, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 10.
China denies role in war against Ukraine, urges Kyiv to temper rhetoric
"The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflicts, and in particular avoid participation in any party's military operations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
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