Prisoner swap took place in 3 locations simultaneously

KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO — THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022, 17:34

The prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia took place in three locations simultaneously on 21 September.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets, the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament), on 24/7 news broadcast

Quote: "Regarding this situation [prisoner swap - ed.], it was super difficult. President [Zelenskyy] participated in it in person.

We had prisoner swaps going on in three locations at the same time. Ten citizens of foreign countries were on a plane that departed from the Russian Federation and flew to the United Arab Emirates. The other plane had five of our commanders from Azovstal on board; they flew to Turkey.

And the location where I was present in person was in Chernihiv Oblast, on the border with Belarus. We were taking back 200 of our heroes and heroines, and simultaneously giving them 55 prisoners in return."

Details: Lubinets pointed out that "some Russians, supported the idea of not conducting this swap."

According to him, 30 ambulance vehicles were parked at the location of the swap from the Ukrainian side. 

The ombudsman also said that many of the men and women who had been released were held in isolated cells, given very little food and practically denied toiletries.

"According to our information, our heroes and heroines were kept blindfolded for six hours. Even though their [Russian - ed.] captors knew they would be giving the prisoners back, they still kept them blindfolded on buses, not letting anyone off. Only after the process started were they allowed finally to remove the blindfolds," Lubinets said.

He also reported that, according to the people who were released, none of them had ever seen any representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Background:

• On 21 September, Ukraine succeeded in setting 215 Ukrainian defenders free, as part of a prisoner swap with Russian occupiers.
• There are border guards, police officers, marines, National Guardsmen, soldiers of Territorial Defence Forces, customs officers, and civilians among the released prisoners. In particular, Denys "Redis" Prokopenko , Serhii "Volyna" Volynskyi, Sviatoslav Palamar, Denys Shleha, Oleh Khomenko [the commanders at the Azovstal steel plant] were released, too. In addition, Mykola "Frost" Kushch and Kostiantyn  "Fox" Nikitenko, whom the occupiers had wanted to execute, were also set free.
• 5 commanders of Ukrainian units that defended Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant are currently in Turkey, under personal protection guarantees of President Recep Tayip Erdogan.
• Russia got back Viktor Medvedchuk and 55 Russian occupiers. Putin is the godfather of Medvedchuk’s daughter.

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