Ukraine may soon receive some of its prisoners of war, which Russia captured in Mariupol.
This was announced on the air of the telethon on Wednesday, June 23, by the head of military intelligence and part-time head of the Coordination Staff for the treatment of prisoners Kyrylo Budanov.
"We know the fate of almost everyone, we are working on their release from captivity. I hope that in the near future many people will see their loved ones at home," Budanov said.
This is a gradual exchange of prisoners, it will not be a one-time exchange. In the near future, they hope to release a "more or less significant" number of prisoners. The main problem, according to Budanov, is the exchange of command staff. As for the rank and file, the issue is progressing much easier.
Most of the prisoners of war are in a camp in occupied Olenivka, Donetsk oblast, but periodically "certain people" are taken out to be investigated.
"Wait a little, Iʼm sure youʼll see for yourself soon," Budanov added.
- On May 19, members of the International Committee of the Red Cross were able to visit some Ukrainian servicemen who had left the Azovstal plant in Mariupol and were in occupied Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast. The visit was confidential, details of the conditions of detention of Ukrainian defenders are not disclosed.
- On June 6, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that more than 2,500 defenders of Mariupol were being held captive by the Russians. He believes that it is unprofitable for the Russians to torture the Ukrainian military from Azovstal because they are "public prisoners."