Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of obstructing prisoner exchange

According to Reuters, on November 3, Ukrainian parliamentarian for human rights Dmytro Lubinets called on Russia to provide a list of prisoners, after Moscow accused Kiev of sabotaging the prisoner exchange process.

Ukrainian parliamentarian for human rights Dmytro Lubinets attends the conference 'Ukraine. 2024', in Kiev, February 25. (Source: Reuters)

On his personal Telegram channel, Mr. Lubinets wrote: "I would like to receive from the Human Rights Commissioner in Russia all lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war, whom Russia is ready to return immediately!... We are always ready to exchange prisoners!".

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Ukraine was essentially sabotaging the process and refusing to take back its citizens.

Ms. Zakharova said the Russian Defense Ministry had offered to return 935 Ukrainian prisoners of war, but the country only accepted 279 people.

In contrast, Mr. Lubinets said Ukraine was always ready to receive its citizens and accused Russia of slowing down the exchange process.

Russia's human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said on November 2 that Ukraine had "politicized" the issue.

"We believe it is necessary to return to constructive dialogue and speed up the exchange of prisoners," Moskalkova wrote on Telegram.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, on November 2, Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that Ukrainian air defense units were trying to repel a Russian airstrike. On his personal Telegram channel, Mr. Klitschko wrote: "There was an explosion in the suburbs of Kiev... Air defense forces are operating in the capital and the surrounding area. Stay in the shelter!".

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nga-ukraine-cao-buoc-nhau-can-tro-trao-doi-tu-binh-292436.html