POWs
Second Stage of the Easter Prisoner Exchange: 193 Ukrainians Home
On April 24, 2026, the second stage of the Easter prisoner of war exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place, resulting in the return of 193 Ukrainian defenders. These are representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including a significant number of paratroopers. Also returning home are fighters from the Naval Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, National Guard of Ukraine, National Police, State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.
Pre-Easter Exchange: 182 Ukrainians Return from Captivity
On April 11, 2026, on the eve of Eastern Christian Easter, Ukraine managed to return 172 servicemen and 7 civilians from Russian captivity. Among those released are privates, sergeants, and officers, the majority of whom were taken prisoner as far back as 2022. The youngest of the freed is 22 years old, while the oldest has turned 63. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets noted that those returned are in serious condition, suffering from injuries and severe psychological distress.
Rostov Court sentences three more «Azov» prisoners of war
The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, has handed down verdicts against three prisoners of war from the «Azov» Brigade who defended the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. This was reported by Mediazona. All three prisoners of war face charges related to their service in «Azov», which Russia has designated a terrorist organization.
UN Commission: Russia’s unlawful trials of Ukrainians constitute war crimes
Fabricated evidence, unfair trials, testimonies extracted under torture, and other serious violations have been documented by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. The Commission examined trials conducted by the Russian Federation in the context of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and concluded that Russian courts have violated international humanitarian law, which constitutes a war crime.
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.
Illegal sentences for Azov POWs: two Russian judges were notified of suspicion of a war crime
The Office of the Prosecutor General has notified two judges of the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation that they are suspected of committing a war crime – violating the right of prisoners of war to a fair and proper trial (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
First POW exchange in 4 months: 157 servicemen and civilians return to Ukraine
In a POW exchange conducted on February 5, 2026, 150 military members and seven Ukrainian civilians were released from Russian captivity. The exchange followed an announcement by Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy. He reported that an agreement to exchange 314 prisoners was reached during trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. in the United Arab Emirates.
Zelenskyy: Russia has halted the process of POW exchanges
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russians have halted the prisoner exchange process because they see no benefit in it for themselves. He told this while speaking to journalists, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
POW exchange on October 2: 185 servicemen and 20 civilians were returned from Russian captivity
On October 2, a combined exchange of prisoners of war took place, bringing 185 military personnel and 20 illegally detained civilians back to Ukraine. Some of them were released in accordance with agreements reached in Istanbul, while others were released as part of the regular exchange.
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