Zelenskyy: Ukraine working to secure release of POWs, civilians Photo

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is intensifying efforts to secure the return of prisoners of war and detained civilians, following a high-level meeting with officials overseeing exchanges with Russia.

In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said he had met with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War to review recent swap operations and prepare for upcoming exchanges, Caliber.Az reports. 

I had a meeting with the team of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. We discussed in detail the results of the exchanges that have already taken place this year, as well as preparations for upcoming exchanges. We hope that in the near future we… pic.twitter.com/XQkcer4bTZ

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 29, 2026

“We discussed in detail the results of the exchanges that have already taken place this year, as well as preparations for upcoming exchanges,” he said. “We hope that in the near future we will be able to welcome home Ukrainians who are currently in captivity in Russia and in temporarily occupied territories.”

According to the president, Ukrainian authorities have compiled updated lists of detainees and are maintaining ongoing communication with the Russian side on humanitarian issues related to prisoner exchanges.

Zelenskyy stressed that efforts cover all categories of detainees, including military personnel and civilians.

“We remember all our people who remain in Russian captivity – both military personnel and civilians,” he said, adding that special attention is being given to those captured before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

He also highlighted the role of international partners and organizations in facilitating negotiations.

“We discussed requests from international organizations and cooperation with partners to secure the release of people,” Zelenskyy noted.

The president said Ukraine is working to ensure progress in difficult cases involving journalists, local officials, energy workers and members of the armed forces, including Azov fighters, marines and paratroopers.

“Our goal is to bring all our people home from captivity,” Zelenskyy said. “We are cross-checking all information, verifying every name. It is not uncommon that a person is listed as missing, but we find them in camps in Russia and bring them back to Ukraine.”

He added that Ukraine will continue to engage with international partners to advance the process.

“This work will continue. We will also engage with some partner country leaders to take additional steps,” he said, thanking the Coordination Headquarters and international partners for their support.

By Sabina Mammadli