Ukraine exchanges 2,235 POWs since war-start - deputy defense minister

17.04.2023 06:05

Ukrinform

The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the President’s Office have already returned to Ukraine 2,235 prisoners of war since the full-scale invasion.

That’s according to the Deputy Minister of Defense, Hanna Maliar, Ukrinform reports.

"The exchange and treatment of prisoners of war is another proof of the civility of the Ukrainian state even in the conditions of such a devastating war. Once again we have great news. Another 130 Ukrainian defenders were freed from Russian captivity on Easter," Maliar wrote on Telegram.

According to the official, since February 24, 2022, for the first time since the beginning of the war, that is, since 2014, Ukraine has organized the process of exchange and treatment of prisoners of war in full accordance with the norms of international law.

"For the first time, this process has become fully official and open as far as security allows. In the spring of 2022, all necessary laws, resolutions, and orders were promptly passed, and a new, effective, and civilized government mechanism for the exchange and treatment of prisoners of war was launched," Maliar emphasized.

On March 11, 2022, the Coordinating HQ was established under the military intelligence agency. The body coordinates the work of more than ten state agencies involved in the processes of POW exchange and treatment.

Conditions have been created for holding enemy POWs in compliance with all the requirements of the Geneva Conventions.

The logistics regarding an enemy POW the moment of capture to delivery to the camp have been regulated. Several law enforcement agencies take part in this process, and the area of responsibility of each is regulated by law.

"The topic of exchange requires silence for the sake of the safety of our military, held in places of deprivation of liberty. Therefore, there is not much to say here. However, the results speak for themselves. The Coordination HQ, in cooperation with the President’s Office, has returned 2,235 people to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion," emphasized Maliar.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ukraine and Russia held an Easter prisoner swap, ensuring the return of 130 Ukrainian POWs.