Around 10,000 Ukrainian citizens are currently held in Russian captivity, over 8,000 of whom are soldiers. However, the actual number may be several times higher. According to the UN, more than 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of war are subjected to torture. “The deteriorating state of international security and increased revenues in the Russian Federation’s budget due to rising oil prices could negatively impact the planned prisoner exchanges,” says Michał Dworczyk, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Subcommittee.
“According to figures provided by Ukrainian authorities, around 10,000 Ukrainian citizens are in Russian captivity, with the overwhelming majority—over 8,000—being soldiers. These individuals are held in harsh conditions, and those returning from captivity report torture and other atrocities committed by Russian guards. It paints a grim picture completely at odds with international law and standards,” emphasizes Michał Dworczyk, MEP from the Law and Justice party (PiS), in an interview with Newseria.
The figure of 10,000 refers only to officially confirmed cases registered with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The actual number—including those missing whose families suspect they are in captivity, and those held in so-called “grey zones” without family contact or ICRC registration—could be significantly higher. Amnesty International, in its report “A Deafening Silence: Ukrainians held incommunicado, forcibly disappeared and tortured in Russian captivity,” notes that approximately 55,000 Ukrainians are listed as missing in state records. The ICRC similarly reports around 50,000 missing persons, 90% of whom are soldiers.
Since the beginning of the war, over 5,700 Ukrainian citizens have been returned in dozens of prisoner exchanges.
“This issue must be viewed through a humanitarian lens but also through the psychology of warfare. If soldiers believe and have hope that they may be exchanged and return home even after being captured, it has a very different effect on their morale than believing they’ll be abandoned and forgotten by their country. In this context, I believe every prisoner exchange is beneficial and that Ukraine should be supported in its efforts to secure the release of as many captives as possible,” says Dworczyk.
Reports and investigations confirm that Russia is systematically and brutally violating international law in its treatment of Ukrainian POWs and civilians. According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, over 95% of Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity are tortured. These include beatings with metal rods, electric shocks, sexual violence, amputations, and extrajudicial executions. These abuses are systemic and qualify as crimes against humanity. Amnesty International confirms that systematic torture, denial of contact with families, sexual abuse, and lack of medical care all violate the Geneva Convention.
“Russia continues to mistreat captives, both military and civilian. Sadly, this is a tradition rooted in Russian practices—torture, execution, and abuse of detainees, regardless of their status. If I had to assess today the political chances of holding the perpetrators accountable, I would say they are slim to none. Our priority should be getting as many people home as possible. Still, I hope that one day justice will be served,” Dworczyk states.
The United States and Turkey play a key role in prisoner exchange negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. While Poland was instrumental in rallying global support for Ukraine in the early years of the war, it is now less visible in major international diplomatic efforts.
“Unfortunately, we are now too passive and have handed the initiative to third-party countries such as Germany or even much smaller nations that are more active on the international stage,” Dworczyk adds.
The war in Ukraine is increasingly affected by the tense global geopolitical landscape. The conflict in the Middle East is particularly impacting global commodity markets—especially oil. For Russia, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, higher oil prices translate into increased budget revenues that may be used to sustain military operations in Ukraine and reduce its motivation to negotiate.
“The worsening global security environment and the rise in Russian budget revenues due to oil price increases may negatively impact the likelihood of future prisoner exchanges,” says the MEP.
After more than three years of intense warfare, Ukraine faces new challenges. The number of volunteers enlisting in the military is declining, posing a serious problem in the face of the protracted conflict. Despite numerous incentives, the majority of troops still come from conscription. Ukraine has launched a recruitment program aimed at attracting men aged 18 to 25, offering financial incentives including a €4,000 bonus and the option to leave the army after one year of service. However, only a few hundred recruits have joined. Closing the personnel gap is critical as Russia has intensified its offensive along the front line and gained control over more territory in northern and eastern Ukraine.
“Manpower is one of the key challenges. Ukraine’s economy and finances are relatively stable, and the supply of weapons and combat equipment is much better than in 2022 or 2023, but the main issue is personnel. Today, the front is largely stagnant. The only active territorial changes are taking place in northern Ukraine, particularly in Sumy Oblast. Overall, the situation on the front lines indicates that Ukraine still retains its defensive capabilities,” Dworczyk concludes.
