Kathrine Frich
As the war drags on, prisoner exchanges have become one of the few direct points of contact between Kyiv and Moscow.
For thousands of captured soldiers, captivity stretches into months with little information about what comes next.
A new appeal shows the growing frustration among Russian prisoners held in Ukraine.
Video appeal released
Russian prisoners of war appeared in a video published online by the “Nash Vychod” movement, calling on President Vladimir Putin to intervene on their behalf.
According to the Kyiv Post, the prisoners urged the Kremlin to include them in future exchanges with Ukraine.
In the recording, the soldiers question why they have not been swapped despite multiple rounds of prisoner exchanges between the two sides.
They said they hoped Putin would respond during his annual televised phone-in, scheduled for Dec. 19.
The video was shared publicly in an effort to draw attention to their situation.
Waiting for exchange
In the footage, the prisoners say that large numbers of Russian servicemen remain in Ukrainian captivity.
They specifically mention young soldiers and those who are wounded among those still being held.
“We’re all waiting for Putin to exchange us,” one of the prisoners says. “We’ve run out of patience.”
The men say that time in captivity is passing with no clarity about whether they will be included in upcoming swaps.
Role of activists
The appeal was released by “Nash Vychod,” a movement founded by Russian women living in Ukraine.
The group has previously advocated for prisoner exchanges and assistance to families of captured soldiers.
Russian authorities have designated the movement a “foreign agent,” citing its activities related to prisoners of war and public appeals.
Despite that designation, the group continues to publish testimonies and statements from Russian prisoners held by Ukraine.
Calls for broader deal
Irina Krykina, a leader of the “Nash Vychod” movement, said she hoped any future peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia would prioritize the issue of prisoners.
According to the Kyiv Post, she argued that an exchange based on the principle of “all for all” should be a central element of any settlement.
Sources: Kyiv Post, YouTube, WP.
