Ukraine is preparing for new phases of prisoner exchanges

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that it is continuing to prepare the next stages of the release of Ukrainians from Russian captivity. According to official data, Ukraine has already managed to repatriate 9,613 of its citizens since the start of the full-scale invasion. This includes both military personnel and civilians who were illegally detained by Russia.

The issue of further exchanges was discussed during a meeting held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Oleg Ivashchenko, head of the Coordination Headquarters, reported on the results of the exchange efforts carried out since the beginning of this year and noted that preparations for new phases of the repatriation of Ukrainians are currently underway. “Preparations are underway for the next phases of the return of Ukrainian defenders—both men and women—and unlawfully detained civilians,” the Coordination Headquarters reported.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko. Also participating in the meeting were Deputy Minister of Defense Mstislav Banik, Acting Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleg Lugovskyi, Acting Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Yevhen Khmara, Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights; Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President; and Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

The meeting participants paid special attention to the issue of returning Ukrainian civilians whom Russia is illegally detaining or has forcibly removed from the temporarily occupied territories. The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that this particular area remains one of the most challenging. “The return of Ukrainian civilians remains one of the most important and most challenging areas of work,” the headquarters noted.

Furthermore, Ukraine is not changing its main priorities during negotiations on prisoner exchanges. Above all, the state seeks to repatriate seriously wounded soldiers, critically ill prisoners of war, and those who have been held captive in Russia the longest. During the meeting, participants also discussed the need for more active involvement by the international community in protecting Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages.

In particular, the discussion focused on ensuring that representatives of international humanitarian organizations and medical missions are granted access to the locations where Russia is holding Ukrainians. Separately, Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada’s Human Rights Commissioner, reported that communication had been established with Russia’s newly appointed Human Rights Commissioner. The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that all government agencies involved in this effort are continuing their joint efforts to bring home every Ukrainian man and woman who remains in Russian captivity or unlawful detention. “We continue to work to bring every Ukrainian man and woman home,” the Coordination Headquarters emphasized. This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have sufficient personnel to rotate troops who have been in combat positions for more than 60 days. This was stated by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.