Despite the operation in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation and the replenishment of the exchange fund, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets believes that we should not expect an exchange of prisoners in the “all for all” format in the near future. However, according to him, the Ukrainian side is doing everything possible to ensure that large-scale exchanges take place. He said this on the air of Radio Liberty, reports UNN.
The Ukrainian side is constantly initiating large-scale exchanges, including many times through intermediaries we have initiated “all-for-all” exchanges. Do I believe that an “all-for-all” exchange can take place in the near future? No, I don't. Do I believe that the Ukrainian side is doing everything possible to make large exchanges happen? Yes, a large team of the Coordination Center is doing this, and I personally am doing it on a daily basis.”
He also noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in the Kursk region of Russia is improving the situation with the return of Ukrainian prisoners from the territory of the Russian Federation and the TOT of Ukraine.
According to Lubinets, the Ukrainian side wants to agree with Russia on the principles of exchange processes.
“I would really like us and Russia to finally agree on the principles of exchange processes and the return of civilians, using this situation... We need to use the principle of justice. Those who were captured earlier get out earlier. We have lists of prisoners of war and civilian hostages taken by the Russians before the full-scale invasion began in 2014, and we have defenders of Mariupol who have been in captivity for more than two years. Among them are even those who, after verification and confirmation by the International Committee of the Red Cross, were wounded in captivity, which is nonsense from the point of view of international humanitarian law,” said the Ombudsman.
He did not specify whether the Russian side has already provided lists of people it wants to return in the first place.
Recall
On August 14, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported that he had a conversation with Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova about the exchange of prisoners amid the Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive in the Kursk region.
On August 15, it was reported that SBU special forces in the Kursk region captured 102 Russian soldiers. This is the most massive operation to take the enemy prisoner that has ever been carried out in one go.