Ukraine’s offensive into Russia’s Kursk region has generated extensive footage of tank battles, explosions, and prisoners being taken—both Russian and Ukrainian soldiers falling into enemy hands. Often, their faces are bound with tape, and their hands are also bound. In some places, prisoners have been taken in large numbers. Ukraine’s SBU stated that its commandos captured no fewer than 102 Russian conscripts and members of special forces on Wednesday alone. Footage released by Ukraine Official shows dozens of men lined up, lying on the side of the road.
Prisoner-taking has been a key aspect of this war from the beginning. If your enemy takes your soldiers prisoner, you need some of theirs to exchange them. There have been at least 54 exchanges of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in 2022. These exchanges typically take place at a checkpoint between the Sumi and Kharkiv oblasts. It is unclear if this checkpoint remains open following recent events.
President Zelensky often discusses the importance of replenishing the exchange fund when Ukrainian troops capture Russians. The Ukrainian offensive into Kursk has resulted in an unusually high number of prisoners due to the swift movement of Ukrainian forces, unlike the slow attritional battles for trenches in Donbas over the past six months. Ukrainian forces quickly overpowered poorly armed, poorly trained, and often unprepared Russian units. Consequently, a significant number of Russian prisoners have fallen into Ukrainian hands during this operation. Although the exact number is unknown, there is talk of upwards of 1,000 Russian soldiers being captured.
Ukraine’s head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, announced the establishment of a committee to coordinate prisoner exchanges. This is significant because previous exchanges were organized on an ad hoc basis, often with Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman speaking directly to his Russian counterpart. The numbers exchanged in these swaps could range from 50 to 95 soldiers. The ultimate goal, according to Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman, is an all-for-all swap, though this is not expected to happen anytime soon.
Budanov outlined the order of priority for prisoner releases: first, the seriously wounded and gravely sick; second, all female prisoners; third, those who have been in captivity the longest; fourth, troops captured during the defense of Mariupol and the Azovstal steelworks in the siege there in 2022; and finally, civilians. Interestingly, Crimean Tatars were also mentioned.
It is worth noting that the Ukrainian military’s Telegram channels have created the impression that this entire operation was focused on one group of prisoners—the defenders of Azovstal. Since the Kursk operation began, several videos have been released showing Ukrainian soldiers coercing Russian prisoners of war to say on camera that they wish to be exchanged for Azov Regiment fighters who were captured in Mariupol. These shell-shocked prisoners are clearly speaking under duress, having been told to make these statements.
The question arises whether this initiative is from soldiers at the front wanting to bring the Azov fighters home or whether it is directed from higher up the chain of command. The issue of Azovstal prisoners is a politically sensitive topic in Ukraine. Since their capture, there have been almost weekly demonstrations in the center of Kyiv, demanding that the Azov prisoners be brought home. Protests are not allowed under martial law in Ukraine, yet no one dares to interfere with these demonstrations.
If President Zelensky can bring back these fighters, it would be a significant domestic political win for him. The regiment that led the defense of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, the Azov Regiment, is controversial due to its far-right roots. Russia has consistently refused to release many of these soldiers, portraying them as the Nazis they claim to be fighting in Ukraine. Other Ukrainian soldiers captured in Mariupol and held alongside Azov Regiment prisoners have reported that these men were singled out for brutal treatment. One man recounted hearing one of them being beaten to death in the cell next to him.
The plight of these prisoners is particularly desperate and carries a significant symbolic weight for both sides. Securing their release would be a major win for Ukraine and a propaganda blow for Russia. These negotiations are delicate and can take a very long time. Both Russia and Ukraine keep the numbers of prisoners they hold, and the number of their own men they believe the opponent holds, secret. It is generally believed that Russia holds more prisoners, giving them the upper hand in negotiations.
How this will play out remains to be seen. It will be a long, delicate process, conducted out of the public eye. It’s important to remember that prisoners of war endure terrifying experiences, often involving abuse, torture, and even death. Families of these prisoners are desperately hoping that their loved ones will finally be coming home.
Ukraine’s offensive into Russia’s Kursk region has generated extensive footage of tank battles, explosions, and prisoners being taken—both Russian and Ukrainian soldiers falling into enemy hands. Often, their faces are bound with tape, and their hands are also bound. In some places, prisoners have been taken in large numbers. Ukraine’s SBU stated that its commandos captured no fewer than 102 Russian conscripts and members of special forces on Wednesday alone. Footage released by Ukraine Official shows dozens of men lined up, lying on the side of the road.
Prisoner-taking has been a key aspect of this war from the beginning. If your enemy takes your soldiers prisoner, you need some of theirs to exchange them. There have been at least 54 exchanges of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine since the full-scale invasion in 2022. These exchanges typically take place at a checkpoint between the Sumi and Kharkiv oblasts. It is unclear if this checkpoint remains open following recent events.
President Zelensky often discusses the importance of replenishing the exchange fund when Ukrainian troops capture Russians. The Ukrainian offensive into Kursk has resulted in an unusually high number of prisoners due to the swift movement of Ukrainian forces, unlike the slow attritional battles for trenches in Donbas over the past six months. Ukrainian forces quickly overpowered poorly armed, poorly trained, and often unprepared Russian units. Consequently, a significant number of Russian prisoners have fallen into Ukrainian hands during this operation. Although the exact number is unknown, there is talk of upwards of 1,000 Russian soldiers being captured.
Ukraine’s head of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, announced the establishment of a committee to coordinate prisoner exchanges. This is significant because previous exchanges were organized on an ad hoc basis, often with Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman speaking directly to his Russian counterpart. The numbers exchanged in these swaps could range from 50 to 95 soldiers. The ultimate goal, according to Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman, is an all-for-all swap, though this is not expected to happen anytime soon.
Budanov outlined the order of priority for prisoner releases: first, the seriously wounded and gravely sick; second, all female prisoners; third, those who have been in captivity the longest; fourth, troops captured during the defense of Mariupol and the Azovstal steelworks in the siege there in 2022; and finally, civilians. Interestingly, Crimean Tatars were also mentioned.
It is worth noting that the Ukrainian military’s Telegram channels have created the impression that this entire operation was focused on one group of prisoners—the defenders of Azovstal. Since the Kursk operation began, several videos have been released showing Ukrainian soldiers coercing Russian prisoners of war to say on camera that they wish to be exchanged for Azov Regiment fighters who were captured in Mariupol. These shell-shocked prisoners are clearly speaking under duress, having been told to make these statements.
The question arises whether this initiative is from soldiers at the front wanting to bring the Azov fighters home or whether it is directed from higher up the chain of command. The issue of Azovstal prisoners is a politically sensitive topic in Ukraine. Since their capture, there have been almost weekly demonstrations in the center of Kyiv, demanding that the Azov prisoners be brought home. Protests are not allowed under martial law in Ukraine, yet no one dares to interfere with these demonstrations.
If President Zelensky can bring back these fighters, it would be a significant domestic political win for him. The regiment that led the defense of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, the Azov Regiment, is controversial due to its far-right roots. Russia has consistently refused to release many of these soldiers, portraying them as the Nazis they claim to be fighting in Ukraine. Other Ukrainian soldiers captured in Mariupol and held alongside Azov Regiment prisoners have reported that these men were singled out for brutal treatment. One man recounted hearing one of them being beaten to death in the cell next to him.
The plight of these prisoners is particularly desperate and carries a significant symbolic weight for both sides. Securing their release would be a major win for Ukraine and a propaganda blow for Russia. These negotiations are delicate and can take a very long time. Both Russia and Ukraine keep the numbers of prisoners they hold, and the number of their own men they believe the opponent holds, secret. It is generally believed that Russia holds more prisoners, giving them the upper hand in negotiations.
How this will play out remains to be seen. It will be a long, delicate process, conducted out of the public eye. It’s important to remember that prisoners of war endure terrifying experiences, often involving abuse, torture, and even death. Families of these prisoners are desperately hoping that their loved ones will finally be coming home.
