--- title: "77th Prisoner Exchange: 103 Ukrainians Return Home from Russian Captivity" description: "On August 19, 2026, the 77th prisoner exchange took place: 103 Ukrainians returned home from Russian captivity. Among them were individuals aged 26 to 59, representing the Armed Forces, SBGS, and NGU. Russia received 103 of its own captives in exchange." date: 2026-08-19T10:32:06.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/77th-prisoner-exchange-103-ukrainians-return-home-from-russian-captivity tags: [ukraine-war, prisoner-exchange, zelensky, humanitarian-crisis, russia-ukraine-conflict] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # 77th Prisoner Exchange: 103 Ukrainians Return Home from Russian Captivity ![Ukrainian soldiers embrace after returning from captivity as part of the 77th prisoner exchange, holding the Ukrainian flag](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/19/77-y-obmen-plennymi-103-ukrainca-vernulis-domoy/77-y-obmen-plennymi-103-ukrainca-vernulis-domoy-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - 103 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home as part of the 77th exchange - Among the liberated were individuals aged 26 to 59, representing the Armed Forces, SBGS, and NGU - Russia received 103 of its own captives in exchange - The liberated report torture and being "fattened up" before the exchange - Ukraine insists on the return of all prisoners without exception On August 19, 2026, Ukraine carried out one of the largest prisoner exchanges in recent months. As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported, 103 Ukrainian defenders — members of the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard — returned home. In return, Russia received 103 of its own captives. This exchange marked the 77th since the start of the full-scale invasion and confirmed that dialogue on humanitarian issues, despite all difficulties, remains active. ### Who Returned: Age, Units, and Personal Stories Among the liberated were both young soldiers and experienced veterans. The youngest was 26 years old (born in 2000), and the oldest was 59. This indicates that those held in captivity included not only enlisted men but also officers and older volunteers. Many of them had participated in combat operations on key fronts: Donbas, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and even in the north of the country. Their return became an emotional event for families and local communities. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ombudsman of the Verkhovna Rada, published a video of the first minutes after liberation. The footage shows men, barely believing in the reality of what is happening, calling their relatives in tears, saying: "I am home." These scenes became a symbol of hope and the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit. ### Why This Exchange is So Important: Humanitarian Aspect and Political Signal Every such exchange is not just a number, but hundreds of families reuniting with their loved ones. For Ukraine, it also demonstrates the ability to conduct negotiations even during wartime, while maintaining a firm stance on issues of sovereignty and human rights. Russia, in turn, uses such events for propaganda, claiming that "humanitarian channels are working," however, facts show otherwise: the conditions of detention often violate international norms. Liberated soldiers report that before the exchange, they were specifically "fattened up" — this is part of a tactic designed to hide the real conditions of detention. According to many, this was not an act of mercy, but an element of psychological pressure and torture. Such practices contradict the Geneva Conventions and cause serious concern among international organizations. ### Contradictory Data Although official data confirms the return of 103 Ukrainians, the Russian side previously published lists of prisoners whom, according to them, Kyiv allegedly refused to return. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets categorically refuted these claims, stating: "Ukraine wants to return all its citizens without exception." The discrepancy in versions may be due to the fact that Russia uses such lists as a tool of pressure or manipulation of public opinion. Until there is independent confirmation of these lists, their credibility remains questionable. ### What's Next: Prospects for New Exchanges and International Reaction This exchange opens up opportunities for new negotiations. Experts note that the regularity of such operations depends on the willingness of both sides to make compromises. The international community, including the UN and the Red Cross, calls for full compliance with the rights of prisoners of war and transparency in the exchange process. Ukraine continues to insist on the return of all prisoners, including civilians who also ended up in captivity. It is important to note that every exchange is a step towards peace, but not a substitute for it. As long as the war continues, humanitarian efforts remain critically important. The return of 103 defenders is a victory, but it should not overshadow the need to stop hostilities and restore peace. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [77th prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place: who was returned home](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vidbuvsya-77-y-obmin-polonenimi-mizh-ukrayinoyu-1787131925.html) - Подтверждает число 103, участие ВС, ГПСУ, НГУ, возраст 26–59 лет - [103 Ukrainians returned home from Russian captivity (PHOTOS)](https://delo.ua/ru/news/iz-rossiiskoi-nevoli-domoi-vernulis-103-ukrainca-foto-471007/) - Подтверждает факт обмена и публикации фото/видео освобожденных - [103 Ukrainian servicemen returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity: Zelenskyy told about ...](https://www.obozrevatel.com/novosti-obschestvo/v-ukrainu-iz-rossijskogo-plena-vernulis-chelovek6.htm) - Подтверждает заявление Зеленского и детали обмена - [Lantratova: Russia and Ukraine are preparing a new prisoner exchange](https://news.mail.ru/society/71704661/) - Упоминает подготовку обмена, но не содержит деталей текущего события ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: How many Ukrainians returned from captivity on August 19, 2026? **A:** 103 Ukrainian military personnel and civilians returned home as part of the 77th exchange. ### Q: Who participated in the exchange? **A:** Military personnel of the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine. ### Q: What is the age of the liberated? **A:** The youngest is 26 years old (born in 2000), and the oldest is 59 years old. ### Q: Were there contradictions in the data? **A:** Yes, Russia published lists of prisoners whom Kyiv allegedly refused to return, but Ombudsman Lubinets refuted this, stating that Ukraine wants to return everyone. ### Q: What do the liberated say about detention conditions? **A:** Many report torture and being "fattened up" before the exchange as an element of psychological pressure.