22:00 12-05-2026

Russia Returned 3,724 Servicemen, Moskalkova Says

Tatyana Moskalkova says Russia has returned 3,724 servicemen from Ukrainian captivity and established the fate of over 9,000 missing fighters.

Since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia has secured the return of 3,724 Russian servicemen from Ukrainian captivity. Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova presented the figures during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 12.

According to the ombudsman, Moscow and Kiev have managed to establish difficult but functioning channels of communication on the treatment of prisoners. These contacts cover mutual visits to detainees and efforts to prevent abuse, humiliation, and the use of unlawful methods against them.

Moskalkova said this work was carried out with the participation of the Defense Ministry, the Federal Security Service, and other special services.

She also noted that representatives of Moscow and Kiev arranged an exchange of parcels. Russian prisoners received warm clothing, food, and messages from relatives, including letters and postcards.

A separate part of the discussion focused on the search for missing servicemen. Moskalkova said she had traveled to Geneva, where the Central Tracing Agency of the International Committee of the Red Cross is based, to make that work more effective.

According to her, missing Russian fighters have been located with the help of the Red Cross and the Ukrainian ombudsman, including in camps and hospitals. As a result, she said, the fate of more than 9,000 servicemen has been established.

Moskalkova added that almost 4,500 participants in the special military operation and members of their families have received assistance with social issues.