Ukrainian prisoners of war are held in 186 places: what is known about the conditions and exchange
The issues related to prisoners of war and missing Ukrainians during the war with Russia remain extremely relevant. As of early 2026, Ukrainian prisoners of war are held in 186 places on the territory of the Russian Federation, which, according to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, do not meet international standards. This raises serious concerns about the conditions of Ukrainians held captive, as well as the legal and social aspects of prisoner exchanges.
The situation with prisoners of war and missing persons
According to available information, Russia has not established any camps for Ukrainian prisoners of war since the beginning of the large-scale invasion. Instead, there are five camps operating in Ukraine for holding Russian military personnel as prisoners of war. Currently, there is no exact statistics on the number of Ukrainian soldiers who are in captivity in the Russian Federation. It is known that more than 300 soldiers have received convictions in the Kursk region, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
In addition, over 16,000 missing civilians have been registered in Ukraine, indicating the scale of the problem. It is important to note that families of illegally detained civilians did not receive state assistance of 100,000 hryvnias in 2025 due to a lack of funds. Also, in June 2023, tragic events occurred in occupied Berdiansk, where 16-year-old teenagers Tigran Ohanisyan and Mykyta Khanganov were killed.
In connection with these events, the Coordination Headquarters emphasizes that convicts are not always exchanged on the principle of 'convicted for convicted'. This creates additional difficulties for the families of the captives. Representatives of the Media Initiative for Human Rights urge families of missing civilians to definitely contact the police and submit DNA samples.
For relatives searching for information about their loved ones, there are important bodies for inquiries, including:
- National Information Bureau
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- Joint Center for Coordination, Search, and Release of Prisoners of War
These organizations can provide the necessary support and information during a difficult time.
The situation with the detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia remains critical, as human rights violations in their places of detention raise concerns not only in Ukraine but also on the international stage. The exchange of prisoners of war is becoming an increasingly complicated process due to the lack of clear rules and principles, complicating life for families waiting for the return of their loved ones. In wartime, ensuring the rights of prisoners of war and civilians remains a priority task for the Ukrainian authorities and international organizations.