On 23 October, Ukraine carried out a new prisoner exchange with Russia and brought home 270 citizens, including nine civilians. A notable feature of the exchange was the release of five Ukrainians who had previously been presumed dead following the Russian terrorist attack in Olenivka in July 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the Ukrainians’ return.
Briefly about the main points
- On 23 October, Ukraine repatriated 270 citizens from Russian captivity.
- Among those released were nine civilians and defenders of Mariupol, including members of the «Azov» battalion.
- Five Ukrainians who were believed to have been killed in the terrorist attack in Olenivka in 2022 have returned alive.
- Most of those released had been held captive by the Russians since 2022.
- Russia has confirmed the exchange and announced the return of 270 of its military personnel.
Who has been successfully rescued from Russian captivity?
Among those released are servicemen from the Ukrainian National Guard, including members of the «Azov» battalion, border guards, members of the Territorial Defence Forces, the Navy and the Airborne Assault Forces, as well as other units of the Defence Forces.
Most Ukrainians had been held captive by the Russians since 2022. A significant number of those released had taken part in the defence of Mariupol, in particular holding their ground at the «Azovstal».
Among those who have returned are servicemen whom Russia unlawfully convicted whilst they were in captivity.
Together with the military Nine Ukrainian civilians are returning home.
The five who were rescued had been presumed dead in Olenivka
Particular attention was drawn to the return of five Ukrainians who had previously been presumed dead following the terrorist attack at the Russian penal colony in Olenivka, in the Donetsk region.
On the night of 29 July 2022, an explosion occurred at Volnovakha Correctional Colony No. 120, where the Russians were holding Ukrainian prisoners of war. Those inside the building were mainly defenders of Mariupol, including fighters from the «Azov» battalion.
According to the Ukrainian investigation, at least 50 prisoners of war were killed in the terrorist attack, and a further 150 or so were injured.
It took years to establish the fate of all the Ukrainians who had been held in the colony. The Russian side failed to provide Ukrainian investigators with adequate access to the crime scene.
Five defenders, who were believed to have been killed during those events, have now returned to Ukraine alive. Their names and the circumstances of their captivity following the terrorist attack have not yet been made public.
Ukraine and Russia carried out an exchange on 23 October
The prisoner exchange on 23 October marked the first major return of Ukrainian prisoners of war since August 2026.
The Russian side also confirmed that the exchange had taken place. According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defence, Moscow has received 270 of its servicemen.
The return of the Ukrainians took place against the backdrop of preparations a new round of negotiations between Ukraine, the US and Russia, which the parties plan to hold in November.
Ukraine is continuing its efforts to secure the release of military personnel and civilians held by Russia.
