More than 40 Ukrainians have returned from Russian-occupied territory via Volyn

During August and September 2026, 41 citizens who had been in the temporarily occupied territories returned to Ukraine via the “Mokrany–Domanove” border crossing in Volyn.

Among them were four children and five teenagers. The returns took place with the assistance of the Ombudsman’s Office and partner organizations.

 Among those who returned is a family whose father had previously been released from captivity. The family’s eldest son has remained in captivity since April 2022, while the mother and her younger son were under constant surveillance by the occupying forces.

They also managed to bring back a young female medical worker who had been taken from the occupied territory on the eve of her potential mobilization into Russian armed forces.

Another man was detained several times by the occupiers and held in basements. His Ukrainian passport was confiscated.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets

A new major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia could take place as early as next week. The head of the Office of the President, Kirill Budanov, stated that news on this matter is expected in the near future. However, he did not specify an exact date or the number of people who may be returned.

On August 19, Ukraine and Russia carried out their 77th prisoner exchange, during which Ukrainian citizens returned home. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.