Returned in POW Swaps, 20 Russian Soldiers Surrender Again

Twenty Russian soldiers are currently held in Ukrainian captivity after surrendering to the Ukrainian Defense Forces for a second time following prisoner exchanges.

Russian commanders sent these servicemen back to active duty after they returned home in swaps, leading them to surrender again when sent back to the front line, according to the Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on July 29.

These repeated surrenders show that Russian troops are aware of how Ukraine treats prisoners. Servicemen who were previously held in Ukrainian custody experienced detention conditions that comply with international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

Special projects managed by the Coordination Headquarters, including "I Want to Live" and "I Want to Find," regularly inform Russian troops and their families about custody conditions, legal rights, and survival options.

This outreach counters state propaganda and informs soldiers about safety in captivity. Facing combat again, a growing number of soldiers choose surrender over death. The situation also underlines the difference in how both countries treat their servicemen during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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War in Ukraine

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Jul 28, 2026 19:15

Ukrainian soldiers returned from captivity have the legal right to resign from military service at their own request. In contrast, Russian commanders give returned prisoners no choice and redeploy them directly to the front.

"For us, it is important that as many Russians as possible surrender. Every such prisoner of war replenishes the exchange pool and increases our ability to bring Ukrainian Defenders home from Russian captivity. When Russian occupiers choose captivity over death, it means more chances for our people to return home," stated Deputy Head of the Coordination Headquarters Andrii Yusov.

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World

Russia Turns to Indirect Money Printing as Military Spending Surges

Jul 28, 2026 23:36

While Russia deliberately staged a deadly explosion at the Olenivka prison colony in 2022 to kill Ukrainian prisoners of war, Ukraine’s adherence to the Geneva Conventions has created a starkly different reality for captured Russian troops. This comes as the anniversary of the tragedy was observed in recent days, marking four years since the deadly attack.

Survivors of Olenivka recalled how Russian guards refused to provide medical assistance and delayed help for hours after the blast inside the barracks.

Today, thousands of Russian soldiers learn about Ukraine’s humane detention conditions through special outreach programs, leading many to voluntarily surrender and, in some cases, choose Ukrainian captivity a second time after being redeployed by their command.

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