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.
Russian captivity
‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity
Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. "He's dead," crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna's heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body
MPs appeal to Zelensky with request to award title of Hero of Ukraine to journalist Roshchyna
Viktoria Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories. Moscow admitted she was in Russian detention the following year.
Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are locked in Russian prisons — will US peace talks leave them behind?
When Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna’s body was returned from Russian captivity with organs missing to hide evidence of torture, the revelation sent shockwaves around the world. Roshchyna died in Russian captivity in the fall of 2024, but her body was only returned to Ukraine in February and officially identified
Journalist Roshchyna's body missing organs after Russian captivity, investigation says
During the examination in Ukraine, it turned out that journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna's brain, eyes, and part of the trachea had been removed, the investigation said.
Zelensky meets Vatican state secretary on sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Vatican State Secretary Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral on April 26.
Russia's torture of Viktoriia Roshchyna shocks world, but dozens of Ukrainian journalists still in captivity
It took several DNA tests to confirm the identity of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was killed in Russian captivity in the fall of 2024. Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while on a reporting trip in Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories. Moscow only acknowledged her detention the following year. Ukraine was
Crimean Tatar freed from Russian captivity: ‘Recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea would legitimize crime’
For nearly two years in Russian captivity, Leniie Umerova clung to a single hope: that one day, she would return home — to Crimea. “I thought about Crimea all the time,” Umerova told the Kyiv Independent. “I dreamed of going there without the permission of the occupying forces, without going through
Ukraine brings back body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says
Ukrainian officials confirmed Roshchyna's death on Oct. 10, 2024, but said that the circumstances were still under investigation. Russia did not hand over her body for about five months.
Tears and joy at largest POW swap between Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine brought home another 277 soldiers in a major prisoner exchange with Russia ahead of the Easter holiday on April 19.
Ukraine war latest: Trump, Zelensky hold phone call to discuss ceasefire; Ukraine brings back 175 soldiers from Russian captivity
Key developments on March 19: * Zelensky agrees to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during call with Trump * US ownership of Ukraine's power plants would be 'best protection' of energy infrastructure, White House says * Ukraine brings home 175 prisoners of war in swap with Russia * Ukrainian drone strike halts operations
Ukraine brings back 150 POWs from Russian captivity in prisoner swap
The released captives included members of the Navy, the Air Force, the Airborne Troops, the National Guard, the State Border Guard, the Territorial Defense Forces, and a police officer, according to the president.
Ukraine war latest: Russia attacks Kyiv on first day of 2025, killing 2, injuring 6
Key developments on Jan. 1: * Russian drone attack kills 2, injures 6, damages central bank building in Kyiv * Russia has lost over 38,000 troops in Kursk Oblast, Syrskyi says * Ukraine has brought back 1,358 people from Russian captivity in 2024 * Zelensky says Trump 'willing, capable of achieving peace
One killed, one in captivity: The tragic story of two brothers forever separated by Russia’s war
Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. For a moment, Oksana Latanska could not believe her eyes when she looked down at a cold, little body, gray from dust and ashes. It hardly resembled the little boy that she knew so well and whom she saw almost every weekend
Russian proxies sentence 9 Azovstal defenders to 24 years, life in prison
Russian occupation authorities in Donetsk jailed nine Ukrainian soldiers captured after defending Mariupol to between 24 years and a life sentence, the city's exiled authorities reported on Dec. 11.
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces regain control of Novyi Komar village in Donetsk Oblast
Key developments on Dec. 5: * Ukrainian forces regain control of Novyi Komar village in Donetsk Oblast * At least 6 Ukrainian mayors held captive by Russia, Zelensky says * Ukrainian forces to receive 30,000 DeepStrike drones in 2025 as part of Zelensky's resilience plan, minister says * 'There will be no Yalta-2
At least 6 Ukrainian mayors held captive by Russia, Zelensky says
Zelensky confirmed that Yevhenii Matvieiev, the mayor of occupied Dniprorudne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, was tortured to death in Russian captivity.
Usyk appeals to Trump to help free Azovstal defenders from Russian captivity
"If Mr. President is so confident in his influence over Putin, could he help free Azovstal defenders and all Ukrainians from Russian captivity right away? Time is of the essence," Ukrainian world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk wrote on X.
EU demands investigation of Roshchyna's death, condemns 'abuses against journalists'
The European Union was "appalled" by Victoria Roshchyna's death and demanded a "thorough and independent" investigation into the circumstances of her death, its External Service's spokesperson said in a statement on Oct. 11.
What we know about Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna who died in Russian captivity
Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, 27, was about to be released from Russian captivity and returned home, when the news of her death broke out on Oct. 10, shocking Ukraine and the world. Roshchyna disappeared in August 2023 while reporting in Russian-occupied territory. More than half a year later, Russia's Defense
Kyiv confirms death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna held in Russian captivity
The circumstances of Viktoria Roshchyna's death are still being confirmed, said Petro Yatsenko, a spokesperson of Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
At least 177 Ukrainian POWs have died in Russian captivity, Kyiv says
Most Ukrainian soldiers who were released had never been visited by the Red Cross representatives while in Russian captivity, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said in July.
Opinion: Silent victims of sexual violence, Ukraine’s male POWs deserve real support
This article contains descriptions of physical and sexual violence, which may be disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. Forced nudity during “welcome beatings,” naked “crouch walking,” and gratuitous stripping and body cavity searches are but a few examples of the abuse Viktor Lakhno, 26, a former prisoner of
Ukraine war latest: Over 100 Ukrainian POWs returned from Russian captivity, Russia strikes Kharkiv
Key developments on Sept. 14, 15: * 103 Ukrainian POWs returned from Russian captivity, including 23 Azov fighters * At least 1 killed, 42 injured in Russian strike on apartment building in Kharkiv * Western aid not enough to equip 'even 4 out of 14' underarmed brigades needed on the front, Zelensky says
103 Ukrainian POWs returned from Russian captivity, including 23 Azov fighters
"The vast majority of those released are people who had been held (in captivity) since the first days of the war,” said Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets in a statement.
Ukraine war latest: 49 Ukrainians released from Russian captivity; Finland announces new aid package for Ukraine
Key developments on Sept. 13: * 49 Ukrainians released from Russian captivity * Finland announces $130 million aid package for Ukraine * Russia's 'rapid' offensive in Kursk Oblast hasn't yet achieved 'serious' success, Zelensky says * Russia buys Western aircraft parts via intermediaries despite sanctions * ATACMS 'pointless' without ability to strike inside Russia, Zelensky
49 Ukrainians released from Russian captivity
Ukraine brought back 49 Ukrainian defenders and civilians from Russian captivity on Sept. 13, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Canada to host conference on release of captured, deported Ukrainians in October
"We must find a solution for all groups held by Russia: civilians, prisoners of war and children," said Andrii Yermak, who held an online meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.
August 24 prisoner exchange did not include any Azov soldiers, brigade commander says
Azov Regiment commander Denys Prokopenko criticized the recent prisoner exchange, expressing disappointment that none of the Azov fighters, who have been in Russian captivity for over two years, were included.
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.
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.
Ombudsman: More than 14,000 Ukrainian civilians in Russian captivity
More than 14,000 Ukrainian civilians are being held in Russian captivity, Ukraine's Chief Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on June 29.
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