From hell to healing: Ukraine starts POW return under Istanbul agreement

Ukraine begins the return of severely wounded and ill soldiers from Russian captivity. On 10 June 2025, the first stage of returning Ukrainian prisoners of war took place. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the news on his Telegram channel, emphasizing that the exchange is part of agreements reached in Istanbul.

Russia holds an estimated 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers in captivity. Additionally, around 60,000 Ukrainians are considered missing, many of whom may also be detained in Russian prisons.

“Today marks the first stage of bringing home our severely wounded and injured warriors from Russian captivity. All of them require urgent medical assistance,” the Ukrainian president stressed.

The returned defenders come from various branches of the Defense Forces, including the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, Air Assault Forces, State Border Guard Service, National Guard, and the State Special Transport Service. Among them are Mariupol defenders who had been held in Russian captivity for over three years.

Many of those freed suffer from serious injuries and chronic illnesses: amputated limbs, abscesses, infections, shrapnel wounds, vision problems, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence reports.

Upon return, all released Ukrainian defenders will be transported to medical facilities for full examinations, treatment, rehabilitation, documentation recovery, and compensation for the time spent in captivity.

For security reasons, the exact number of released prisoners will be announced later. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War emphasizes that efforts to free Ukrainian captives are ongoing, and the next stages of the exchange are already being prepared.

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