Ukraine’s Security Service begins preparations for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia
The planned exchange follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.
Prisoners of war
Russia sentences Australian fighting for Ukraine to 13 years in prison in sham trial
The so-called Supreme Court of the Russian-controlled Luhansk Oblast found Jenkins guilty under Russian criminal law for participating in armed conflict as a mercenary.
1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange likely to take place next week, Ukraine intelligence chief says
A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia involving around 1,000 POWs from each side is expected to take place next week, Ukraine's military intelligence chief said on air on May 17, following an agreement reached in Istanbul.
‘My heart goes out to the beloved people of Ukraine’ — Pope Leo XIV receives list of Ukrainian POWs at Vatican
The Ukrainian delegation present in the Vatican included the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election.
Ukraine brings home 205 POWs in prisoner exchange with Russia
This marks the fifth known prisoner of war (POWs) swap of 2025 and the 64th since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Ukraine confirms capture of 2 Togolese nationals fighting for Russia
Togo’s Foreign Ministry earlier said the detainees had been misled into leaving the country with promises of scholarships to study in Russia.
Ukraine war latest: Moscow violates 'Easter truce,' Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia
Key developments on April 19-20: * Multiple Russian ceasefire violations reported from front line during Easter ceasefire, Zelensky says * Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia * Ukraine advances in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Zelensky says * Republican US Congressman Fitzpatrick visits Ukraine’s front line, signs a shell for Putin * Russia
Australia will continue to petition Russia for POW's release, PM says
"We'll continue to make representations to the reprehensible regime of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin on behalf of Mr Jenkins," Anthony Albanese told 9News.
Russia 'working hard' to return Wagner POWs, Ukraine's HUR says
Wagner units were key to Russia's seizure of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast in May 2023.
Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia
Another 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home in a major prisoner swap with Russia mediated by the United Arab Emirates, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 19.
Chinese POWs captured by Ukraine on fighting for Russia
The Kyiv Independent attended a press conference with the captured Chinese prisoners of war on April 14 to learn more about their service in the Russian military — and has highlighted the key takeaways for you.
'Everything we heard from Russians was a lie' — Chinese fighters captured by Ukraine speak out
The two Chinese nationals captured when fighting for Russia claimed they weren’t sent to the war by the Chinese government, and described their hardships in the Russian ranks. One of the captives, Wang Guangjun, said he was targeted by Russian "chemical weapons" right after he was taken captive by
Ukraine war latest: US ambassador to Ukraine to resign
Key developments on April 10: * US ambassador to Ukraine to resign, State Department tells Kyiv Independent * 'Before I got there, I had never held a weapon' — Ukraine shows interrogation of Chinese POWs * Ukraine won't accept any limits on its army in talks with Russia, official says * Russia frees woman jailed
Chinese POW says he doesn’t want to return to Russia, hopes to go back to China
The captured fighter also said he was treated better in Ukrainian custody than during his time with Russian forces, according to a new interrogation video published April 10.
Chinese fighters in Russia's ranks reflect 'systemic' recruitment, Zelensky says
The involvement of Chinese nationals in Russia’s war against Ukraine appears to be part of a “systemic” recruitment effort organized by Moscow, not isolated incidents, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 10.
China denies role in war against Ukraine, urges Kyiv to temper rhetoric
"The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflicts, and in particular avoid participation in any party's military operations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
'Before I got there, I had never held a weapon' — Ukraine shows interrogation of Chinese POWs
One of the captives served in the 2nd Battalion of Russia's 157th Motorized Rifle Brigade and was captured near Tarasivka, while the other fought in the 1st Battalion of the 81st Motorized Rifle Brigade and was captured near Bilohorivka, according to the SBU
Ukraine war latest: Russia's spring offensive 'already begun;' over 160 Chinese nationals fight against Ukraine
Key developments on April 9: * Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show * Russia's spring offensive has "effectively already begun," Syrskyi says * Ukraine open to buy US military aid package for $50 billion, Zelensky says * Russian military airfield reportedly targeted in mass drone attack At least
Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show
The documents, obtained by the Kyiv Independent, list the names, personal data, brigades, and ranks of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia.
Chinese national captured fighting for Russia reportedly paid $3,500 to recruiter, sought citizenship
The man was among two Chinese nationals taken prisoner near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka during a clash between Ukrainian troops and a Russian assault group on April 8.
Beijing 'verifying' claims about Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine
"The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine 'disturbing,' US says
"China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on April 8.
Ukraine captured 2 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, Zelensky says
"We have information that there are much more than two such Chinese citizens in the occupier's units," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine war latest: Kavkazskaya oil facility still burning; Ukraine returns over 4,000 POWs from Russian captivity since 2022
Key developments on March 21: * Zelensky, Pavel meet in Kyiv to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine * Ukraine has brought back over 4,000 prisoners of war from Russian captivity since start of full-scale invasion, Zelensky says * Russia's Kavkazskaya oil facility still burning after two days, more explosions reported * Ukraine accuses
Ukraine has brought back over 4,000 prisoners of war from Russian captivity since start of full-scale invasion, Zelensky says
"Now, when we talk to the American side and our other partners about how to end the war, we talk about the release of prisoners as one of the first steps," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine brings home 175 prisoners of war in swap with Russia
Ukraine has brought home 175 Ukrainian soldiers in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19.
Seoul, Kyiv discuss transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha discussed the potential transfer of two North Korean POWs in a phone call.
Families of Ukrainian POWs rally outside US Embassy, demand 'all-for-all' exchange before peace deal
Protesters demanded an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange before any peace deal with Russia is signed.
Russia exceeded mobilization goals in occupied Ukrainian territories last year, official says
"In 2024, Russia had to mobilize thousands of people from the newly occupied territories and those who had previously been under occupation. According to HUR, this plan has been fulfilled by 104%."
New video shows Australian POW Oscar Jenkins alive but injured in Russian captivity
In the video, Oscar Jenkins says he feels "weak" and has "lost a lot of weight," and has a broken arm.
Over 150 Ukrainian war prisoners may be held in Chechnya, Kyiv says
Some 36 Ukrainian POWs are being sought and may be in the city of Grozny, Chechnya, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs.
Kyiv open to talks with South Korea on captured North Korean soldiers, ambassador says
Kyiv is open to negotiating with South Korea over the possible transfer of captured North Korean soldiers, Ukrainian Ambassador to Seoul Dmytro Ponomarenko said in an interview with The Korea Times published on Feb. 5.
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