Since the war began in Ukraine, the situation regarding prisoners has been quite dire. Although the parties conceal the true figures, reports from international organizations, official statements, and conducted investigations provide a clear picture of the issue of captivity, which has become one of the most severe humanitarian problems of the war.
According to Modern.az, current research indicates that since February 2022, at least 13,500 Ukrainian servicemen have been taken prisoner by Russia.
Although some of them were returned through exchanges a short time later, 6–7 thousand people are currently still being held in various Russian regions and occupied territories.
The Ukrainian side states that this figure pertains only to military personnel. It is emphasized that alongside them, hundreds of civilians are also being held hostage by Russia, with some forcibly taken to the country's territory.
According to investigations by international bodies, approximately 6,800 Ukrainian servicemen have been freed from captivity to date. The European Parliament notes in its appeals that this figure, including civilians, exceeds 6,000. The largest exchange in recent years occurred in May 2025. Within the framework of the agreement facilitated by Turkey, known historically as "1000 for 1000," both sides mutually released one thousand prisoners. Numerous smaller exchanges have also taken place. Nevertheless, the Ukrainian side confirms that at least over 200 Ukrainian prisoners have lost their lives under Russian control.
Russia's figures regarding prisoners are more limited. In 2024, Vladimir Putin himself admitted that at that time, the Ukrainian side was holding 1,348 Russian servicemen captive. Numerous exchanges conducted throughout the war, especially the changes in 2025, indicate that this figure has regularly fluctuated. Analysis from various international sources shows that the total number of Russian servicemen captured by Ukraine and subsequently returned through exchanges amounts to several thousand.
One of the new trends that has attracted attention in recent years is Ukraine's capture of foreign-origin fighters. In early 2025, during operations in the Kursk direction, the Ukrainian army announced for the first time that it had captured North Korean servicemen. Images released concerning two North Korean servicemen sparked widespread international discussions.
During the same period, Ukraine confirmed the capture of two Chinese mercenaries in the Donetsk direction. The Ukrainian side states that Russia has recruited hundreds of mercenaries from various countries, especially from China and Central Asian republics.
According to official Kyiv, 54 fighters of Central Asian origin are currently being held by Ukraine. Although some of them are Russian citizens, the majority are migrants who traveled to Russia from their own countries or individuals recruited from correctional facilities. Ukraine also reports the capture of several African and Indian fighters.
Elnur Amirov
