The first big prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine started!

The first big prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine started!

Istanbul, Türkei - Russia and Ukraine have started a significant prisoner exchange today, in which 390 people were released each. According to [OE24], 270 prisoners of war and 120 civilians were handed over in this first exchange. The Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow confirmed this step, which is part of a planned exchange of a total of 1,000 prisoners and is to be continued in the coming days. Insider from Ukrainian military circles contradict the US President Donald Trump, who incorrectly claimed that the exchange has already been completed.

The exchange is the result of direct discussions between representatives of both countries that took place in Istanbul last week and the first have been in more than three years. While there were progress in the prisoner exchange, the discussions about a possible fire break did not have too tangible results. The extensive area abrasion demanded by Russia are particularly disputed, which are categorically rejected by Ukraine.

background of the exchange

Wladimir Medinski, the head of the Russian negotiating delegation, has in the past questioned the independence of Ukraine, which is also burdened by the negotiations. Trump described the exchange as a “sign of hope” and congratulated both sides on the negotiations, which indicates that the international community traps these efforts.

In another caption, the [Tagesschau] tells of the conditions in the prisoners of war in Ukraine. Many members of the Russian army have been in Ukrainian captivity since the beginning of the conflict. There are reports on the only prisoner of war camp for Russian soldiers, whose exact locations and the number of occupants are not known. The prisoners who are housed in this camp come not only from Russia, but also from the areas occupied by Russia in Ukraine.

war crimes and the reality of captivity

Part of the prisoners in the camp has been convicted of serious war crimes such as the shooting of Ukrainian civilians. A prisoner named Ruslan claims that the allegations against him were invented. At the moment, numerous wounds are also housed in the warehouse that need medical treatment.

The reporting on the living conditions of the prisoners is limited and the ARD was able to conduct interviews in the camp without Ukrainian supervision. This has led to a self -censorship of the prisoners. One problem that burdens the talents of the Russians during the negotiations is the unequal number of prison exchanges, with Russia obviously releasing less prisoners. Jazenko from the Kiev Coordination Center expressed the wish that all men from the camps are exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners.

The situation remains tense and the upcoming exchange rounds could be crucial for both sides. The question of the future -oriented solution to the conflict and the treatment of the prisoners are still the focus of the international community.