Returnees bring mix of joy and sorrow among Ukrainian families after exchange of POWs
Chernihiv, Ukraine - Emotions Run High as Prisoners of War Return Home
For Olga Serhichuk, witnessing her fellow Ukrainians returning from the grueling clutches of Russian captivity brings a mix of joy and sorrow. Much like many other desperate civilians, she was present at a hospital in Chernihiv – a city located north of Kyiv – eagerly awaiting the arrival of Ukrainian prisoners of war, part of a recent prisoner exchange with Russia.
Serhichuk, who will celebrate her 39th birthday next Friday, wasn't only there to welcome the shaved, battered Ukrainian prisoners of war. She was also holding out hope that one of the liberated men had valuable information about her husband, Serhiy, a 42-year-old father of their five-year-old son.
"I'm overjoyed for those who made it home, yet I'm deeply saddened that my husband is presumably still out there somewhere," she shared tearfully with NBC News on Tuesday, cradling a large photo of her husband, who last contacted her in November and spoke of being en route to the embattled northern city of Sumy.
"I have unwavering faith that he'll return home soon, even if he's injured," she continued. "I merely want him to be alive."
The latest prisoner exchanges, which emerged from diplomatic talks between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey on June 2, represent meaningful humanitarian milestones, although broader progress towards ending the war remains stagnant. The attritional trench warfare and aggressive Russian bombardment continue unabated, much like before.
The agreement, however, did culminate in at least 1,200 prisoners of war and the remains of countless dead fighters being exchanged between the two countries. Although this may not mark a turning point towards a permanent peace, it offers a silver lining for families like Serhichuk's.
Essential Statistics and Insights
- June 2025: A major prisoner exchange was initiated on June 7 and 8, aiming to bring home approximately 500 prisoners of war. This marks the first stage under a recently agreed-upon deal in talks held in Istanbul on June 2. Among those being released are wounded and severely injured soldiers, as well as individuals aged 25 or younger.
- May 20225: The largest prisoner-of-war exchange since the 2022 invasion commenced towards the end of May, with the planned exchange of 1,000 individuals. This swap transpired over three days as a result of an agreement brokered in Turkey.
- Despite the considerable number of exchanged prisoners, substantial progress towards ending the war remains scarce. The talks in Istanbul, along with agreements surrounding prisoner swaps, are viewed as confidence-building measures but have yet to pave the way for substantial peace negotiations [1][2].
- Ukraine continues to push for a complete exchange of all prisoners – an "all-for-all" proposal which Russia has so far declined [1][2].
- Officials' statements and public declarations by President Zelensky highlight the importance of reuniting with the nation's captive citizens and the substantial psychological relief for families and communities affected by war [1][2].
These exchanges undeniably serve as important humanitarian relief measures and steps towards family reunification but are no guarantee of a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine [1][2][3].
References:
- "Ukraine says it has received over 100 soldier bodies from Russia in prisoner swap."(2025, June 13). CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-prisoner-swap-1000-soldiers/
- "Ukraine Prisoner Swap Shows Progress But Not A Breakthrough." (2025, June 9). NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/06/09/1094000102/ukraine-prisoner-swap-shows-progress-but-not-a-breakthrough
- "Kremlin says signed agreement on 'serious step' in Ukraine prisoner swap." (2025, June 2). Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/2/kremlin-says-signed-agreement-on-serious-step-in-ukraine-prisoner-swap
- "The latest prisoner exchange, involving around 500 soldiers and others as part of an agreed deal in talks held in Istanbul, marks a significant humanitarian milestone amidst ongoing politics and war-and-conflicts in Ukraine."
- "Despite optimistic steps in prisoner-of-war exchanges, broader political progress towards ending the ongoing war remains stagnant, as shown by the continued military reign of attritional trench warfare and aggressive Russian bombardment."
