Russia detaining at least 6 Ukrainian mayors and community heads - Zelenskyy
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine does not receive enough help from other organizations in returning Ukrainian prisoners to Russia. At least 6 Ukrainian mayors and heads of communities are currently being held captive by Russia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says in an address to the human rights community.
“Do we currently receive much help from organizations such as the UN or the International Committee of the Red Cross in protecting and returning Ukrainian prisoners in Russia? Actually, no,” the President said, noting that it had recently become known that Yevhen Matveev, the mayor of Dniprorudne, had died in Russian captivity.
Today, according to Zelenskyy, at least 6 mayors and community leaders are in Russian captivity. All of them are among the thousands of Ukrainians who have been held captive by Russia not only since 2022 but also since 2014.
“We are doing everything to bring them back. 3,767 Ukrainians have already been returned from captivity,” he added.
Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia
Prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have been taking place since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These processes have been coordinated through intermediaries on several occasions.
In November, with the support of the Belarusian side, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets met with Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova in Belarus. The event was also attended by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). During the dialogue, the two sides handed over updated lists of persons held in captivity.
