DIU allows exchanges for Russian political prisoners: Ukraine ready to do it
Ukraine is ready to exchange Russian citizens held in Ukrainian prisons for civilians who opposed the war and were sentenced in Russia.
Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, said this at a briefing at the Ukraine-Union Media Center.
"We can talk about the exchange of Russian political prisoners. Ukraine is ready to do this. Even though the majority of Russian society is brainwashed by propaganda and supports the genocide of Ukrainians, some citizens were not afraid and opposed the war, received real 'draconian' sentences, and are in prison. And as a European democratic country, we must help these people and remind everyone that we are also talking about terror within the Russian Federation itself," Yusov said.
According to him, "We are ready to return such people".
At the same time, he emphasized that the priority remains the release of prisoners of war.
"No one will exchange prisoners of war (for Russian political prisoners - ed.). But we can talk about this (exchange - ed.) about 'Medvedchuks' of various kinds and Russian citizens held in our prisons, and their number is considerable," Yusov said.
As reported, former OPFL MP Viktor Medvedchuk is accused of high treason, assisting a terrorist organization, and looting national property.
In September 2022, Ukraine exchanged Medvedchuk for captured Azovstal defenders.