115 Ukrainian soldiers returned from Russian captivity, Zelensky confirms
Among those brought back were soldiers from the National Guard, army, navy, and the State Border Guard Service.
POWs
Ukraine in control of 92 settlements in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Zelensky claims
Ukrainian forces are in control of 92 settlements and more than 1,250 square kilometers of Kursk Oblast in Russia as the incursion into the region continues, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 19.
Freedom of Russia Legion calls on Russian soldiers to surrender, switch sides amid Kursk incursion
The legion called upon Russian soldiers to "surrender to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as (their) comrades did." Those who "want to continue fighting for the normal future of Russia" were invited to join the unit.
Ukraine captures over 100 Russian, Chechen soldiers in a day in Kursk Oblast, source says
Ukrainian special forces captured 102 Russian and Chechen soldiers in Kursk Oblast on Aug. 14, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 15.
Azov soldier Ishchenko died in Russian captivity due to 'blunt force trauma,' report shows
Azov Brigade soldier Oleksandr Ishchenko died in Russian captivity due to a blunt force trauma to his chest, according to a forensic expert report, published by Azov deputy commander, Sviatoslav Palamar on Aug. 7.
Ukraine's project helps to locate 588 missing Russian soldiers
Some 533 of the Russian soldiers were found alive among the number of POWs, and 100 of them had already been released to Russia as a part of a prisoner exchange.
Ombudsman appeals to UN, Red Cross over alleged execution of Ukrainian POW by Russia
The photo, which is circulating on social media, shows the body of a person with his head and limbs cut off. It is unknown when the photo was taken. The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify it.
Ukraine seeks to exchange pro-Russian collaborators for civilian hostages under new initiative
"We are talking about people who do not consider Ukraine, European democratic values, or our state constitution theirs, but consider the aggressor state, Russia, their country. And they want to get there," Ukraine's military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said.
Most Ukrainian POWs haven’t seen Red Cross while in Russian captivity, ombudsman says
Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets commented on the recent interview of Boris Michel, the head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Russia, with the Russian state-controlled media RIA Novosti.
Exclusive: Nepali POW questioned by Ukrainian authorities
The Kyiv Independent has obtained footage of Ukrainian authorities questioning a Nepali prisoner of war captured when he was fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The footage was obtained from intelligence sources. The Kyiv Independent edited it for brevity.
Russian troops beheaded Ukrainian soldier in Donetsk Oblast, Kyiv claims
In a post on social media, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said his office has received information that Russian commanders had given orders "not to capture Ukrainian servicemen, but instead to kill them with inhuman cruelty - by beheading."
Reuters: Sri Lanka to send delegation to return mercenaries fighting on behalf of Russia
According to reports, a top official in the Sri Lankan government stated that the government will send a delegation to Russia to investigate the fate of hundreds of nationals reportedly fighting in the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine pins hopes on international pressure to conduct all-for-all prisoner exchange
As Ukraine prepares for a major peace summit in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky sees an opportunity to free all Ukrainian prisoners from Russia before the end of the war. After the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has seized thousands of Ukrainians, from soldiers to children, adding them to the
Zelensky: Ukraine open to considering all-for-all POW exchange
Ukraine is open to considering an all-for-all prisoner of war (POW) exchange, and will discuss the idea at the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3.
Prosecutors investigating executions of 54 Ukrainian POWs by Russia
At least 54 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) have been executed by Russian soldiers, the head of the War Crimes Department in Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office, Yurii Belousov, said on April 9.
Prosecutor General's Office: Russian soldiers kill 3 Ukrainian POWs
The Prosecutor General's Office has opened an investigation into a video that purportedly shows Russian soldiers shooting three captured and unarmed Ukrainian servicemen in Kherson Oblast, the office announced on April 7.
Turkish Ombudsman to visit Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity
Turkish Ombudsman Seref Malkoc is planning to visit Ukrainian prisoners of war who have been held in Russia, he said in an interview to Ukrinform on April 5.
Pope calls for exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine in Easter sermon
"Calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express desire for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for all!" Pope Francis said on March 31, according to Vatican News.
Ukraine war latest: At least 32 Ukrainian POWs executed in Russian captivity during winter, UN says
Key developments on March 26: * UN: At least 32 Ukrainian POWs executed in Russian captivity during winter * Russian landing ship Konstantin Olshansky hit with Neptune missile, says Ukraine * Ukraine dismisses Security Council secretary Danilov * Polish official says NATO considering shooting down Russian missiles that approach its borders * SBU says it
Russia recruits more foreign mercenaries to fight in war, Ukraine says
Russia increasingly involves foreign mercenaries from countries with a "difficult economic situation" in the all-out war in Ukraine, Petro Yatsenko, a spokesperson of Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said on March 15 during the press conference in Kyiv.
Russian torture of Ukrainian POWs ‘widespread and systematic,’ UN commission says
Russian torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) is “widespread and systematic” and shows a “blatant disregard for human dignity,” a report from a United Nations commission of inquiry on Ukraine said on March 15.
Ombudsman on Il-76 crash: Russia speculates on transferring Ukrainian POWs' bodies, no lists given
Russia has not yet provided Ukraine with any official list confirming that there were Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) on board the Il-76 aircraft that crashed in Belgorod Oblast in late January, chief Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on March 1.
Prosecutor's Office investigates Russian execution of 7 Ukrainian POWs
Law enforcement opened an investigation into Russian troops executing seven Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered as prisoners of war (POWs) in Donetsk Oblast, the Prosecutor General’s Office reported on Feb. 25.
Ombudsman: Russian troops executed at least 7 Ukrainian POWs near Bakhmut
Russian troops killed at least seven Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered as prisoners of war (POW) near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast on Feb. 24, Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported.
Ombudsman: 28,000 Ukrainian citizens in Russian captivity
The captives are spread across Russia and the occupied territories, according to Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Many are religious figures, journalists, NGO workers, and representatives from local governments, he said.
Ukrainian army says Russian troops killed 2 Ukrainian POWs
In a video published by the Ground Forces, Ukrainian soldiers approached a group of Russian troops in a trench. One of them started to shoot and killed two Ukrainian soldiers.
Zelensky: 207 Ukrainian prisoners return home from Russian captivity, almost half of them Mariupol defenders
It was one of the largest groups of Ukrainian prisoners to be brought back from Russian captivity since the beginning of the full-scale war.
What it’s like to know your loved ones are in Russian captivity
On the evening of Feb. 24, Nataliia Sivak received a terrifying message from her younger brother, Ukrainian soldier Yakiv Nehrii. "Tell everyone I love them very much," the message read. "We are under heavy attack." It was the last time she heard from him. When Russia launched its full-scale war
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