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| Russia-Ukraine Agree to Exchange Hundreds of Prisoners of War |
International Military - Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange prisoners of war . The exchange was the largest since the outbreak of war, as it involved hundreds of prisoners of war. "The exchange of 144 for 144 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine took place on June 29 by order of the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces," said Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, Thursday (30/6/2022).
"The exchange was arranged and carried out on the direct order of the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces," Konashenkov continued, as quoted by the TASS news agency.
The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense stressed that the life, health and release of Russian servicemen and fighters of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, who make up the majority of those who returned, was the top priority. "Almost all those released were injured or seriously injured. They have received all the medical care they need," he added.
The day before, House Speaker Denis Pushilin said the Donetsk People's Republic and Ukraine had exchanged 144 prisoners of war for 144, returning soldiers to their respective sides. He stressed that the main task is to save the fighters who took part in the special liberation operation.
Quoted from Routers.com, the majority of Ukrainians released were seriously injured, suffering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds, blast trauma, burns, broken bones and amputated limbs. "We handed over to Kyiv the same number of prisoners from Ukrainian armed units, most of whom were injured," Pushilin said.
Hundreds more Ukrainians are thought to be detained by Russia and pro-Moscow separatist proxies in eastern Ukraine, but their whereabouts are unknown.
In particular, Kiev had worried about the fate of hundreds of fighters from the Azov regiment who played a key role in the defense of Mariupol and its Azovstal steelworks before being besieged and finally laid down their arms.
The prisoner swap included the surrender of 43 members of the Azov regiment, a National Guard unit Russia says is a dangerous far-right battalion, a promising sign for Ukraine hoping for the release of other fighters from the unit.