Espreso. Global
Exclusive

Ukraine returns almost 2,600 people from captivity during full-scale war

8 September, 2023 Friday
21:04

The Main Intelligence Directorate says that as of September 8, Ukraine has returned almost 2,600 people from Russian captivity

client/title.list_title

Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate, said this in a comment to Espreso.

"Captured Ukrainians, both military and civilians, were held captive long before the full-scale invasion. There are people who have been in captivity since 2014. Nevertheless, the process is ongoing, and Ukraine is mostly managing to return citizens in a bilateral format: defenders and civilians. There have been 48 exchanges since the full-scale invasion, and almost 2,600 Ukrainians have been returned. The work is ongoing and there will definitely be news," emphasizes Yusov.

The intelligence also reminded that Russia does not comply with the Geneva Conventions.

"Difficulties on the part of the Russian Federation regarding the implementation of the Geneva Conventions and compliance with international humanitarian law are traditional things. As for how the aggressor state may interpret certain international events (in particular, the return of Azov commanders home) or the actions of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces, I think we should definitely not take this into account. The work on the exchange is underway, and it is very important that the exchange fund, in particular as a result of the active actions of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces, is being replenished, and it is being replenished a lot," said Andriy Yusov.

The Main Intelligence Directorate emphasizes that Ukraine is ready to return its citizens.

"That is, many Russian soldiers are now and have recently been taken prisoner by Ukraine. Some of them - about one in five - surrendered voluntarily, in particular, using the I Want to Live program, and this work continues. Shoigu said after the Azov commanders returned from Turkey that an important task of the so-called 'special military operation' was to return Russian prisoners of war home. Well, there were words, there were statements, now we have to wait for concrete actions. Ukraine is ready to return its citizens and, of course, will do everything possible to do so, including in the format of exchanges," the intelligence representative said in a statement.

Prisoner exchange with Russia

On July 6, Ukraine returned 45 people from captivity. Among them are two officers, 41 privates and sergeants, a civilian employee of Azovstal, and a Territorial defense fighter from Kherson.

On July 7, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported that Ukraine has managed to identify most of the bodies of prisoners of war killed in a Russian terrorist attack in the village of Olenivka, Donetsk region. 

On July 12, Ukraine managed to return the bodies of 19 people who died in Russian captivity.

In addition, on Friday, August 4, the bodies of 44 more dead Ukrainian soldiers were returned home.

On August 22, Ukraine initiated the creation of mixed medical commissions with the participation of representatives of neutral countries. This decision will help to exchange Ukrainian prisoners and allow the Russian side to return its military. On the same day, Russia returned the bodies of 12 Ukrainian defenders, confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross as having been held in captivity.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that the involvement of a third country in the release of civilians from Russian captivity will allow the use of "pendulum diplomacy."

Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that Ukraine has problems with the exchange fund, and Russia does not want to take back its prisoners of war.
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Tuesday
7 January
21:50
Trump rules out pre-inauguration meeting with Putin
21:40
Over 7,600 Russian troops killed and wounded near Pokrovsk last week
21:24
Ukraine receives first KF41 Lynx IFV from Rheinmetall for testing
21:17
Updated
Belarus builds up military presence near Ukraine's border. Kyiv reacts
20:59
OPINION
Don't Look Up: The West seen the movie, but failed to learn its lesson
20:43
Exclusive
Why Ukrainian army may occasionally receive low-quality ammunition
20:26
Ukrainian Armed Forces hit Russian marines' command post in Kursk region
20:07
Ukrainian forces hold out in Kurakhove, deny Lozova capture, spokesman reports
19:50
Russian army focuses on Pokrovsk, Kurakhove sectors - Ukraine’s General Staff
19:34
Victory, not peace: Why truce with Russia will make things worse for Ukraine and Europe
19:13
Press release
Volunteers. Espreso: results of 2024
18:54
Production of improvised assault vehicles for the Russian army, January 2025, open source image
Russia scales up "jihad-mobile" production for assault operations in Ukraine
18:32
In 2024, Ukraine receives four times expected revenue from Google tax
18:11
OPINION
Who is the world's top negotiator?
17:52
Ukraine, Russia to enter new round of scientific and tech revolution on battlefield in 2025 – Ukrainian officer
17:35
Fake video of U.S. journalists mocking Ukrainian military deaths debunked
17:16
North Korea announces Hwasong-16B missile upgrade: What’s changed?
16:55
Hungary blames Ukraine for rising European gas prices after transit halt
16:32
Exclusive
Russian troops rebuild in Kupyansk direction following Ukraine’s successful defense — Ukraine’s 14th Brigade
16:15
Can Ukraine leverage Transnistria's energy crisis for strategic gains against Moscow?
15:53
Russia's military losses in Ukraine nearly double in 2024 compared to 2023 — UK intelligence
15:28
First official visit: Icelandic FM Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir arrives in Kyiv
15:10
Ukrainian F-16 pilot destroys 6 cruise missiles in historic single combat mission
14:57
Historical development: Ukraine begins using marine "drone carriers" that can strike Russian rear
14:49
OPINION
Kellogg's postponed visit: no time for quick chess
14:30
Poland readies to increase electricity supplies to Ukraine
14:12
Russia's frontline reinforced with North Korean 170mm Koksan artillery systems
13:56
Exclusive
Trump envoy’s Kyiv trip delayed amid lack of clear war solutions - political analyst
13:34
Exclusive
Ukrainian army gains new ground in Russiaʼs Kursk region - military expert Zgurets
13:15
Review
Ukrainian Armed Forces' successes in Kursk direction. Serhiy Zgurets' column
12:53
Exclusive
'Historic event': two Russian Pantsir air defense systems destroyed near Skadovsk
12:38
Updated
Russia hits public transport bus in Ukraine's Kherson with drone: number of wounded increases to 8
12:21
OPINION
Is Zelenskyy’s podcast with Fridman a success?
12:00
218 clashes occur at front on Jan. 6: Ukraine repels 94 Russian attacks in Kursk region
11:42
Russian troops push to protect fuel storage in occupied territories amid Ukrainian strikes
11:24
Exclusive
General Syrskyi’s plan succeeds: Russian forces pulled from Donbas to Kursk
11:07
Exclusive
Ukraine’s key to victory: military reveals game-changing strategy to end Russia's war
10:49
Russia loses 15,000 soldiers in brutal five-month Kursk operation
10:31
Ukrainian forces eliminate 13 North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region
10:13
Russia's economy loses up to 1.7 million able-bodied citizens due to war with Ukraine
More news