Families of Missing Ukrainians Seek Answers Amid Prisoner Exchange

⁣​ updated June 09, 2025

As prisoner exchanges continue between Ukraine and Russia, families of missing Ukrainian soldiers are desperately seeking information about their loved ones. In the Chernihiv region, near⁢ the border with Belarus, Ukrainians gathered, hoping for news.

Tetiana ‌held a sign displaying photos of her father, Valentyn, and cousin, Mykola,‍ both of whom are still missing. The war has deeply affected her family; her ⁤uncle was killed last September,⁤ but his body was only recently returned for burial.

“When my father went to fight, my biggest‌ fear was‌ that he would go missing,” Tetiana said, her voice breaking. “I hoped maybe he’d be wounded and come back.” The prisoner exchange offered a sliver ​of hope amid the ⁢ongoing conflict.

As returned prisoners appeared, women below called out names of regiments, hoping someone might‌ have information. One soldier apologized, made a heart sign, and shouted “Slava Ukraini” (glory to Ukraine), to which the​ crowd responded, “Heroiam Slava” (glory to the‍ heroes).

Petro Yatsenko, of Ukraine’s Coordination HQ ⁤for ‌prisoners of war, told the BBC that the soldiers’ health was poor due to insufficient food and a lack of visits from the International Red Cross during their time in Russian detention. He emphasized the‍ need for a long period of rehabilitation.

Valera, 23, who ⁤had been in captivity for over three years, seemed happy to be back on Ukrainian soil after‌ a bowl of⁣ soup. As he left, women pressed forward, showing him pictures ​of the missing, hoping he might recognize someone. The families of missing soldiers cling to any chance for information.

Last week, Moscow and Kyiv traded accusations regarding the ⁢disruption of planned repatriations of deceased soldiers’ bodies. Russia claimed to have taken⁢ over 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies to an agreed exchange point, but ukrainian officials did not arrive. Ukraine accused moscow of “playing‌ dirty games,”‌ alleging that Russia was not adhering to the​ agreed swap parameters.

In late May, Russia and Ukraine conducted their largest Ukraine prisoner exchange ⁢as the full-scale invasion in 2022, handing over 390 ‍soldiers and civilians each.

Overnight, Moscow‍ launched a record 479‌ drones at Ukraine, including the Rivne region, which had been largely spared⁢ from attacks.Russia’s defense ministry stated it targeted Rivne’s ⁤dubno base as ⁤a‌ retaliatory strike for Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian airfields on June 1.

While the attacks caused damage in several Ukrainian‍ regions, there were⁣ no reported casualties. Russia has recently escalated its attacks on⁤ Ukraine, with each week setting ⁤a new record for the number of‍ drones ‍fired.

Kyiv reported attacking another Russian airbase‍ in the Nizhny Novgorod region, ⁤approximately‍ 400 miles from⁤ the ukrainian border. Ukraine claimed the base houses planes that launch hypersonic missiles and that it had damaged “two ​units of⁢ enemy aircraft.”

Additionally, an electronics factory​ that Kyiv says manufactures equipment to guide drones and aerial bombs was targeted. Video footage shows an explosion and a‍ large⁢ fire at the plant, leading to a ⁣suspension​ of ⁣production.

“When ‌my father went to fight, my⁣ biggest fear was that he would go missing,”‍ she said, her eyes filling with tears. “I hoped maybe he’d be wounded and come back.”

“Thay spent a lot of time in Russian places of detention, without any visits of International Red Cross,” Petro Yatsenko, of Ukraine’s Coordination HQ for prisoners of war, told the BBC.

What’s next

As the⁤ conflict continues, further ⁢prisoner exchanges and efforts​ to locate missing soldiers are anticipated, with families remaining ‌in a ‍state of uncertainty and hope.