268 Ukrainian POWs Executed by Russian Forces – Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office Investigates

“We are all significantly falling short,” Denys Prokopenko comments on the 75th prisoner exchange

On June 5, 2026, the 75th prisoner exchange took place. As part of the exchange, 185 prisoners of war and one civilian – who had been held captive by the Russians since 2022 – returned to Ukraine. This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which expressed gratitude to the United States and the UAE for their assistance in organizing the exchange.

The leaving of Azov soldiers from the Azovstal plant

“Honorable Captivity” of Azov: Civic Evidence Publishes Report on the Fate of Azov Fighters in Russian Captivity

The independent initiative Civic Evidence has released a comprehensive report titled “‘Honorable Captivity’ of Azov: The System of Propaganda, Violence, and Criminal Prosecution of Servicemembers of the National Guard of Ukraine in the Russian Federation.” The report details the fate of the «Azov» service members in Russian captivity, illustrating how propaganda narratives, systemic violence, and the Russian judicial system cooperate to construct a negative image of the fighters and justify their heinous mistreatment.

“Made in Russia. Delivered to Captivity”: Project on Russia’s Crimes Against POWs Presented in Kyiv

The project "Made in Russia. Delivered to Captivity" was presented in Kyiv. The event marks the 4th anniversary of the Mariupol garrison's withdrawal from "Azovstal" after 86 days of heroic defense of the city. Back then, under the provided guarantees, the defenders of Mariupol fulfilled the order of the higher command to save lives. However, the Russian Federation violated these guarantees—the majority of the "Azovstal" defenders are now in their fifth year of suffering from daily crimes in Russian captivity.

Azov

Lethal Cases

Azov medic Oleksandr Krokhmaliuk tortured to death in captivity

Another Ukrainian prisoner of war has died in Russian captivity — Oleksandr Krokhmaliuk, a military medic of the Azov brigade, died as a result of torture. This was reported by Azov deputy commander Sviatoslav "Kalyna" Palamar. Krokhmaliuk joined Azov back in 2016.

a wall with a Russian-language inscription saying: “it’s not a war crime if you had fun”

Lethal Cases

“It’s Not a War Crime If You Had Fun”: Execution of POWs as Russian State Policy

The execution and torture of prisoners of war is a Kremlin state policy, honed over decades of wars of conquest. In the course of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Russian military has taken its most brutal practices to a new level on a horrifying scale. As of the end of 2025, the Russians had executed at least 337 Ukrainian prisoners of war — a grave war crime.

Amnesty International Report: Executions and Torture of Ukrainian Prisoners of War Continue

Amnesty International has published its annual report on the human rights situation in the world for 2025. The section on Ukraine highlights, among other things, that Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians were subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in Russian captivity. The organization notes that as of December 10, 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine had recorded 322 cases of execution of captured Ukrainian servicemembers by Russian forces.

Azov

Exchanges

“We are all significantly falling short,” Denys Prokopenko comments on the 75th prisoner exchange

“Honorable Captivity” of Azov: Civic Evidence Publishes Report on the Fate of Azov Fighters in Russian Captivity