A Ukrainian journalist who was held incommunicado by Russia for over three years has been released as part of a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv. Dmytro Khilyuk, 50, was detained while trying to obtain basic supplies during the occupation of his village, Kozarovychi, north of Kyiv.
Khilyuk’s parents had not heard from him for over three years and received a handwritten note in April 2022 stating he was “alive and well.” However, Moscow repeatedly denied holding him, despite fellow prisoners placing him in detention facilities in Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Khilyuk’s release on Sunday, sharing photos of the group on his official Telegram channel. Eight Ukrainian civilians were released alongside soldiers and other security force members, including former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko, who spent over three years in captivity.
The Russian Defence Ministry said 146 Russian servicemen were returned from Ukraine in exchange for 146 Ukrainian prisoners of war. However, Kyiv has not commented on the claim that Russian civilians were included in the exchange.
Khilyuk’s release is a rare moment of hope for families of Ukrainians detained in Russia. At least 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are known to be detained in Russia, with many being held without charges or trial, and deported to Russia. The international community has criticized the detention of civilians by occupying powers as illegal under international law.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/24/world/ukraine-journalist-prisoner-release-intl