Russia and Ukraine Exchange Civilian Detainees
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged civilian prisoners, including Ukrainians aged 35-66 and Russian citizens from Kursk and other regions. Both sides confirmed the swap.
Civilian Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine have carried out an exchange of civilian detainees, according to human rights officials from both countries. Russian ombudsman Yana Lantratova stated that five residents of the Kursk region and two from other regions returned to Russia. Ukraine also confirmed the exchange, welcoming back its citizens.
Details from the Ukrainian Side
Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets reported that Ukrainians aged 35 to 66 returned home. All were illegally detained in 2022 during the occupation of Mariupol, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk regions. He specifically mentioned the Bucha district in Kyiv region, where occupiers committed atrocities. Lubinets noted that one detainee was arrested because of his sons serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, while another was abducted from the street. Among the released is a volunteer who joined the "Angels of Tayra" paramedic brigade in Mariupol in 2022.
Report on Illegal Detentions
A report published last week by Ukrainian human rights organizations and independent experts from Norway states that since the start of the full-scale war, Russian authorities have illegally held over 8,000 civilians in occupied Ukrainian territories and Russia. The authors describe this as a systematic practice of detention and abduction aimed at suppressing dissent. Detainees include officials, teachers, doctors, businesspeople, activists, and priests. Many face torture in captivity.
Prisoner of War Exchange
Additionally, a prisoner of war exchange took place following a "160 for 160" formula.
