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Returned, Interrogated, Redeployed: Russia Sends Ex-POWs Back to Frontline, Injured or Not
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![Photo of Roman Kohanets]( "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
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Russia is redeploying former prisoners of war to the front lines shortly after exchanges with Ukraine, often without medical treatment or legal demobilization—and in some cases, the same soldiers are captured again within weeks. These findings were published on August 4 by the Ukrainian state-run initiative Project “I Want to Live.”
The report highlights the cases of two Russian servicemen—Saktaagai Shagaa from Tuva and Dmitry Ivanov from the Komi Republic—both of whom were returned to Russia through prisoner swaps in June 2025 but were again taken prisoner near Vovchansk in July.
According to the report, Shagaa, who spoke limited Russian, was conscripted on December 10, 2024, into the 83rd Motor Rifle Regiment.
He was wounded and captured during an assault near Vovchansk in January 2025. After being exchanged on June 20, 2025, he was not allowed to return home or undergo rehabilitation.
Instead, FSB officers reportedly interrogated him for two weeks at the 27th Motor Rifle Brigade base in Mosrentgen near Moscow before redeploying him to the same frontline. On July 19, he was captured a second time.
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Ivanov, aged 21, signed a contract with the 82nd Motor Rifle Regiment on September 11, 2024. The report states that he received no military training before being sent to Vovchansk. He was first captured on October 7, 2024, after sustaining injuries. Following his exchange on June 9, 2025, Ivanov was again deployed and recaptured on July 19.
The information provided by Project “I Want to Live” emphasizes that Russian military personnel returned from captivity have no legal mechanisms to refuse further service. This differs from Ukrainian practice, where ex-POWs can submit resignation requests.
The report suggests that Russian returnees are frequently denied medical care and are instead subjected to FSB questioning before being forced back into combat roles—regardless of injury or readiness.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine has completed a large-scale prisoner exchange, including dozens of service members and civilians held by Russia since 2022.
Returned individuals underwent medical screenings, psychological support, and received state compensation—suggesting a structured reintegration process for Ukrainian POWs.
