Prisoner exchange in Ukraine
Kyiv (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged his forces on Monday to take more prisoners, saying that would make it easier to secure the release of soldiers held by Russia.
Zelensky made the remarks hours after the two sides carried out one of the largest prisoner exchanges to date, in which a total of 218 detainees, including 108 Ukrainian women, were exchanged.
“I thank everyone who participated in this success and also all those who renew our exchange base, and who ensure the capture of enemies,” he said in a speech in the evening.
“The more Russian prisoners we have, the faster we can free our heroes. Every Ukrainian soldier, every commander on the front lines should remember this.”
Andrei Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, said 12 civilians were released among the women.
“This was the first women-only exchange,” he wrote on the messaging app Telegram, adding that 37 women were arrested after Russian forces captured the steel giant Azovstal in the coastal city of Mariupol in May.
One of the women, Dr. Victoria Obedina, said that until the last minute the group had no idea the exchange was taking place. Obaidin was with her daughter when Mariupol fell, but the two parted ways.
“I will see my daughter. I really want to see her,” she told reporters.
Separately, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry reported that some of the women had been in prison since 2019 after they were detained by the pro-Moscow authorities in the eastern regions. Earlier, the head of one of the regions designated by Russia said that Kyiv had released 80 civilians and 30 military personnel.
(Reporting by Max Hunder and David Leungren)
