The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is intensifying its efforts to bring home citizens held captive and to safeguard their rights while in detention. A new position of special envoy has been established, with Dmitry Ponomarenko appointed to lead these initiatives.
Ponomarenko, who has extensive international experience, has spent years fostering Ukraine’s relationships in the East, a focus that the ministry believes will be crucial in attracting new intermediaries for negotiations.
Key objectives for the new envoy include:
- Preventing torture – ensuring that occupying forces cease inhumane treatment of Ukrainian soldiers;
- Securing the release of civilians – addressing the unlawful detention of individuals by Russia;
- Searching for the missing – collaborating with international partners to ascertain the fate of thousands of Ukrainians.
The Ministry has outlined clear plans for these efforts extending into 2026. It is coordinating with various organizations to enhance the effectiveness of its actions.
A comprehensive advocacy campaign will be launched in collaboration with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Public Council. This will include a series of international events aimed at strengthening sanctions against Russia.
Background on the Special Envoy
Dmitry Ponomarenko has a long history of working to enhance relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. From 2021 to 2025, he served as Ukraine’s Ambassador to South Korea, also representing the nation in Mongolia.
In recent developments regarding the return of Ukrainian captives, Ukraine successfully repatriated another group of defenders from Russian detention just before Easter. This exchange resulted in the return of 182 individuals, including 175 military personnel and 7 civilians, most of whom had been held since 2022.
According to Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s Military Intelligence, there were plans for a larger exchange; however, the occupying forces declined to retrieve their personnel and return more Ukrainians. Despite this setback, Kyiv remains hopeful that prisoner exchanges will continue after Easter.
Meanwhile, the head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov, announced a new phase of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, which may take place as soon as the end of this week.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is enhancing its efforts to secure the release of citizens held captive, appointing Dmitry Ponomarenko as a special envoy. Recent exchanges have seen the return of hundreds of individuals, with ongoing plans for future negotiations.