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Russia Seeks Prisoner Exchange with Ukraine Amid Kursk Incursion

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Russia Seeks Prisoner Exchange with Ukraine Amid Kursk Incursion
A Ukrainian serviceman sits on an armoured military vehicle driving in the Sumy region, near the border with Russia, on August 12, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Getty Images)

In the wake of Ukraine’s military operation in the Kursk region, Russia has initiated a dialogue with Ukraine regarding the exchange of prisoners of war.

This was disclosed by Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets during a telethon broadcast.

“Regarding communication with the Russian side, I can speak for myself. Yes, there was an initiative from the Russian delegation on this issue,” he said.

While Lubinets refrained from sharing specific details of the conversation, he referenced a video showing Russian soldiers surrendering, saying, “You have seen the video where the Russian military surrenders.”

He also pointed out that, despite claims by Russian propagandists about a supposed halt in prisoner exchanges, communication between the ombudsmen of Ukraine and Russia continues.

“I also inform the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN that the rights of Russian prisoners are protected. Ukraine is always prepared to continue the exchange process in accordance with the Geneva Convention,” Lubinets concluded.

On August 12, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially stated that Ukraine is conducting an operation in the Kursk region of Russia. According to the latest data, Ukraine was controlling 74 settlements, about 1,000 km² of the territory of the Russian Federation. Zelenskyy has also stated that hundreds of Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian forces.

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