The most difficult category to negotiate with Russia on the exchange is the convicted Ukrainian military. This was reported to UNN by the representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the system of security and defense agencies, Oleksandr Kononenko.
The most difficult category today is the convicted Ukrainian military. I think there are convicts from different units," Kononenko said. He noted that, in particular, Azov fighters and the 36th Separate Marine Brigade are among the prisoners of war who are the most difficult to negotiate with Russia. "This is Azov, but it is also the 36th Marine Brigade, and it includes the 501st Battalion, the 503rd Battalion, the first separate Marine Battalion
He explained why it is the most difficult to negotiate with Russia over convicted Ukrainian servicemen.
"This category is the most difficult to negotiate, because Russia, for its part, does not want to negotiate over military personnel who have what they call "aggravating circumstances." Although the Ukrainian state and our legislative body, the Verkhovna Rada, have adopted appropriate changes to the legislation on the possibility of repatriating Russian prisoners of war who have been convicted in Ukraine. That is, we have provided a legal mechanism," Kononenko said.
Addendum
The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets stated earlier that Russia does not agree to the repatriation of prisoners of war and blames Ukraine for this!
Relatives of the captured defenders from the "Azov" called to support the prisoners only in a civilized way, so as not to shame either the soldiers or their families.
Add
In March 2024, it was reportedthat the "DPR" had sentenced 10 captured Azov fighters.