Three Russian pilots return from captivity after negotiations
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that three air force pilots were released from detention in areas controlled by opposing forces and returned to Russia. The ministry described the release as the result of a lengthy negotiation process that secured the pilots, who were facing life-threatening conditions while in captivity, and ensured their safe exit from the territory controlled by the Kiev authorities.
Medical and psychological support is being provided to the returned servicemen by the Russian armed forces. After stabilization, they will be transported to Moscow for comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation at specialized facilities.
Reports identified the returning pilots as Lieutenant Colonels Maxim Krishtop and Sergey Kosik, and Major Sergey Malov, who were listed by a media outlet as having come home from Ukrainian captivity today.
There was no official statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense about any transfer of Ukrainian prisoners from the territory controlled by Kiev to Russia. In Kyiv, a senior official announced that a group of 45 Ukrainian service members, including 42 defenders and three Azovstal personnel, were allowed to return to Ukraine. The official noted that the group consisted mainly of privates, sergeants, and officers from various units. In Russia, the defense ministry later confirmed the release of 40 soldiers in a separate exchange cycle.
“Ordinary soldiers do not take”
Russia’s human rights ombudsperson spoke about difficulties in prisoner exchanges, pointing out Kyiv’s reluctance to include lower-ranking soldiers in the swap. She suggested that senior commanders are typically prioritized in negotiations, with ongoing investigations and proceedings affecting the return of certain individuals. The ombudsperson emphasized that exchange lists are compiled based on applications from Russian troops. She argued that the Ukrainian side has tended to bypass ordinary servicemen, signaling a broader pattern in the exchange process. There was mention of discussions about a possible broader format for future exchanges involving a wider group of prisoners.
Torture of military personnel
Authorities in Russia have reported that some captured soldiers faced brutal treatment during detention. Several servicemen who have returned described severe beatings and confinement in harsh conditions, including placements in containers and other distressing environments. Investigations have been opened under the relevant provisions of the Russian criminal code, focusing on the use of prohibited means and methods during armed conflict. One veteran recounted being captured after being wounded, having his eyes and hands bound, and being transported in several vehicles before arriving at a captivity site that resembled a crematorium in Kharkiv, where he was held for an extended period. He alleged harsh discipline and mistreatment while detained in Kyiv, including interrogations and beatings. Other accounts included similar experiences in Kharkiv, with senior officials in charge of detention facilities identified as responsible for the reported abuses.
Authorities named the individuals who oversaw the detention facilities involved in these allegations, including leaders of detention centers in Kyiv and Kharkiv. These disclosures form part of ongoing inquiries and the broader debate over treatment of prisoners during the conflict.