Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Ombudsman: Russians trying to use relatives of Ukrainian POWs against Ukraine

The Ukrainian Ombudsman says Russia systematically tells Ukrainian POW families that Ukraine blocks returns, demanding relatives hold protests and provide infrastructure photos to Russia.
Dmytro Lubinets
Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Photo from his Facebook page
Ombudsman: Russians trying to use relatives of Ukrainian POWs against Ukraine

Russia is attempting to leverage the relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war as a tool against Ukraine, according to Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, who said it on Ukrainian television, reported Ukrinform.

Lubinets emphasized that Ukraine is making every effort to facilitate the repatriation of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian hostages, and children. He disclosed that he had recently engaged in discussions with representatives of a mediator nation regarding the imperative of unblocking the prisoner exchange process. Lubinets underscored that the impasse in the exchange process is solely attributable to Russia’s unwillingness to cooperate.

“The Russians want to use the relatives of prisoners of war against Ukraine, against the Ukrainian authorities. We have systematic facts that the Russians call the relatives and say: ‘We are ready to return them, but Ukraine does not want to take them.’ This is not true. They propose that the relatives hold rallies, block roads, administrative buildings. Or, for example, we have facts when the relatives are forced to take photos of the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, critical infrastructure and pass them [to the Russians],” the Ombudsman said.

Furthermore, Ukrainian paramedic and volunteer Yuliia Paievska (call sign “Taira”) who was released from Russian captivity last year, highlighted that the Russians employ manipulative tactics by asserting that Ukraine is unwilling to exchange soldiers, insisting on officer-only swaps.

Russia has been blocking prisoner exchanges for several months now.

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts