Prisoner Exchange Takes Place -- 1,000 for 1,000
The only concrete outcome thus far in the talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war in Ukraine is the agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners from each side reached during the talks in Istanbul on June 2. The prisoner exchange started on June 9.
Dmitri Kovalevich, writing for Al Mayadeen, pointed out on May 31:
"During the halting peace talks that took place in Istanbul earlier this month, Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange prisoners, 1,000 on each side. Kyiv demanded a 'one-for-one' exchange. However, there are far fewer Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine compared to Ukrainian soldiers imprisoned in Russia.
"The Russian army has been steadily advancing in recent months; it is mainly Ukrainians who are being captured and taken prisoner. It turns out that Ukrainian authorities are including civilian dissidents disloyal to the Zelensky regime among their 'Russian prisoners of war' in the prisoner exchanges."
The Ukrainian online publication Strana wrote on May 20:
"On the eve of the largest prisoner exchange to date of '1,000 for 1,000,' pretrial detention centres in Ukraine began to fill up with prisoners accused of 'treason,' 'separatism,' 'collaborationism' and other similar political charges. These prisoners were then used for the prisoner-of-war exchange."
"Those whom Kyiv is offering to exchange for its captured soldiers include businessmen, youth caught taking photos or video of military facilities [strictly forbidden under Ukraine's martial law regime], people setting fire to the vehicles of military recruiters, and people who were simply set up or betrayed under accusations of 'pro-Russian' views or sympathies."
Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelensky issued a statement on June 9 which said, "Ukrainians are coming home from Russian captivity." Zelensky said the exchange would continue in several stages. "Among those being returned now are wounded and severely wounded prisoners, as well as those under 25," he said.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said the first group of released prisoners includes personnel from Ukraine's Navy, Ground Forces, Air Force, National Guard, Border Guard Service, Territorial Defence, and State Special Transport Service.
The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that "the first group of Russian servicemen under the age of 25 was returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime."
This article was published in
Volume 55 Number 6 - June 2025
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2025/Articles/M5500614.HTM
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