Due to information wars, the exchange of certain categories of prisoners of war have become problematic for both Ukraine and Russia. For Russia, these are the Azov Regiment and the Marines, and for Ukraine – the Chechens.
This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, who also heads the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
“There are not taboos, but there are problem categories that emerged due to our information wars. You know, in any information war, there are pros and cons. Certain cons of these efforts are that some high-profile categories have become problematic for both their and our sides. We have also greatly highlighted all the Chechens and the like. For them, the sharp issue is that of the Azov Regiment, the Marines, and in general, everything related to Mariupol. For us, the most vivid example is the Chechens,” he said.
Budanov also said that the Coordination Center manages to bring back those who have been in captivity since 2014, albeit in “very small batches”.
Budanov expressed hope that it would eventually be possible to return everyone.
“I believe that we will bring everyone back because any war always ends with people returning to both sides. Do not forget that no matter who they are, someone is also waiting for Russians to come back home. It’s their families. The country, perhaps, not so much, but the families are,” noted Budanov.
Earlier, in an interview with Ukrinform, Bohdan Okhrimenko, head of the Secretariat of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, said that 30% of military unit 3057 of the 12th National Guard’s Azov Brigade had been released from Russian captivity. However, the Russian side does not want to release the Azov soldiers and marines.
In May 2022, the marines and Azov soldiers left Azovstal under security guarantees and promises of release from captivity “within few months.” However, they have been in captivity for 33 months.
The Coordination Center, together with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President, has developed proposals for an “all-for-all” exchange in the event of negotiations with Russia.
Since the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War was launched in 2022, 4,131 Ukrainians have been returned from captivity, including 1,358 last year.
Source: Budanov about POW exchange: Some categories have become problematic
