Ukraine brings home 270 Ukrainians from Russian captivity, including 35 Azov POWs
On 23 October, 270 Ukrainians were returned from Russian captivity: 261 servicemen and 9 civilians. Those released include members of the Navy, Land Forces, Air Assault Forces, State Special Transport Service, Territorial Defence Forces, Special Operations Forces and Military Law Enforcement Service, as well as the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and a rescuer from the State Emergency Service.
The vast majority of those released had been held captive since 2022, and some since 2018 and 2020. Five survived the terrorist attack in Olenivka in the so-called Barrack 200. Nine are seriously ill.
Russia had sentenced 86 of those released on fabricated charges to various prison terms, including life imprisonment. The Ukrainian side thanked the United States and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance with the exchange.
“We express our gratitude to the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates, and in particular we thank everyone who made efforts to free Stephen Gabbard, a 74-year-old English teacher from Izium whom the Russians unlawfully convicted and tortured,” the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said.
Among those released are 61 servicemen of military unit 3057, including 35 fighters of the Azov Separate Special Purpose Brigade. This was announced by the commander of the Azov Group of Forces, Brigadier General Denys Prokopenko.
“Under daily torture, in inhumane conditions, you endured terrible ordeals and demonstrated the strength of spirit and resilience of a Ukrainian warrior. I thank those who work on exchanges, replenish the exchange fund and look for new solutions — everyone whose work brings results,” Prokopenko said.
All those released will undergo medical examinations, treatment and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, thousands of Ukrainians remain in Russian places of detention, to which the International Committee of the Red Cross has had no access since 2024. As a result, what is known about their conditions comes mostly from the testimonies of those who have returned.
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Ukraine brings home 270 Ukrainians from Russian captivity, including 35 Azov POWs
On 23 October, 270 Ukrainians were returned from Russian captivity: 261 servicemen and 9 civilians. Those released include members of the Navy, Land Forces, Air Assault Forces, State Special Transport Service, Territorial Defence Forces, Special Operations Forces and Military Law Enforcement Service, as well as the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and a rescuer from the State Emergency Service.
ICRC confirms it has had no access to Ukrainian POWs for two years
Russia has denied the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russian detention since 2024. “We can confirm the lack of access to POWs in Russia since 2024,” an ICRC spokesperson told Reuters on September 18.
Citizens of 51 Countries Held as Prisoners of War in Ukraine
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine have announced the launch of StopRussianRecruiters.org, an information platform documenting and exposing Russia’s deceptive recruitment of foreign nationals into its armed forces. The project also provides information about foreign prisoners of war held in Ukraine and calls on the governments of their respective countries to take diplomatic action to secure their return.
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