Hope and Heartbreak in Kyiv: Ukraine Receives POWs and Remains of Fallen Soldiers

Kyiv, Ukraine – June 11, 2025 – A major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia has brought hope and heartbreak to families across the country. Dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) returned home, many bearing the scars of brutal treatment in Russian captivity. One POW, Oleksandr Kulkov, described enduring over three years of imprisonment and suffering broken ribs. 'If nothing was already broken, they would break it,' he said. Meanwhile, the exchange also included the remains of more than 1,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers, a grim reminder of the conflict's ongoing toll. The emotional scenes at a hospital north of Kyiv, where families anxiously awaited news of their loved ones, contrasted sharply with the joy of those who were reunited. Olga Serhiycuk, whose husband remains missing, expressed both happiness for those who returned and profound sorrow for her own loss. 'I am happy for those who have been returned, but I am so sorry my husband is not among them,' she said. However, just a few feet away, Tanya Shestak's joy was uncontainable as a freed prisoner confirmed her father was alive and well. This exchange offers a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing conflict, but also serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.