POW exchange: 500 servicemen and two civilians returned to Ukraine under agreements reached in Geneva
On 5-6 March 2026, a two-day exchange of prisoners of war took place between Ukraine and Russia. On the first day, 200 military personnel returned to Ukraine, and on the second day, another 300. Separately, two civilians were also returned. The exchange was made possible by agreements reached in Geneva with the mediation of the United States.
Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov noted:
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to achieving such important results on the humanitarian track: US President Donald Trump and his administration, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and the entire American negotiating team, as well as the United Arab Emirates. My gratitude goes to the Coordination Headquarters team and all the structures that, on behalf of the President of Ukraine, continue to work for the release of our prisoners.”
Those released include members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Air Assault Forces, the Navy, Territorial Defence Forces, the Air Force, the Unmanned Systems Forces, as well as fighters of the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service. Among those released are defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, defenders who protected the country in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
In total, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has managed to return 8,050 of its citizens from Russian captivity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Ukrainian soldiers who are replenishing the exchange fund, the team that worked for the return, and the United States for its mediation:
“It is important that the agreements worked. We remember each and every one of them, and we must bring back all our people.”
News
see more
The UN Security Council holds an Arria-formula meeting on Ukrainian POWs
On August 10, the UN Security Council held an Arria-formula meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, dedicated to Russia's systematic violations of international humanitarian law against Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian detainees, and foreign nationals. The event was convened by Latvia and the United Kingdom at Ukraine's initiative.
Russia forms military unit from Ukrainian POWs in violation of the Geneva Convention
Russia has formed a new military unit made up of Ukrainian prisoners of war and former servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The creation of the so-called "First Ukrainian Volunteer Special Purpose Brigade" became known on August 6. The unit was incorporated into the "Volunteer Corps" of Russia's Ministry of Defense.
Fourth anniversary of the Olenivka attack: memorial installation unveiled in Kyiv
A permanent memorial installation commemorating the victims of the Russian terrorist attack in Olenivka has been unveiled at Mykhailivska Square in Kyiv, the Association of Azovstal Defenders’ Families announced.
questions & answers
You can make a difference
Have a question, a message, or something important to share?
Whether it’s information, a concern, or a word of support, we want to hear from you.
Every voice matters.