Russia manipulates prisoner swap talks to discredit Ukraine
Photo: Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation (Getty Images)
Russia continues to manipulate the prisoner swap issue. Moscow is attempting to disrupt the process and conduct information-psychological operations to discredit Ukraine in the international information space, informs Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation (CCD).
He explained that Russia's goal is to cast doubt on the diplomatic process and justify its further offensive actions.
"Of course, Russia never intended to stop them anyway. The continuation of the war lies entirely on Russia's conscience, and they try to manipulate this," Kovalenko said.
The head of CCD emphasized that Ukraine complies with all agreed terms. Russia, in turn, manipulates the exchange topic and the war, rejects a ceasefire and leaders' meetings, and attacks Ukraine daily.
"They won't succeed in lying — the truth is clear to everyone," he concluded.
Background
On June 2, Ukraine and Russia held the second round of direct negotiations.
Following the meeting, the delegations agreed to exchange all severely wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war. They also agreed to exchange all military personnel aged 18 to 25.
Another agreement was to return 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers from each side. Additionally, Russia agreed to return several hundred children taken from Ukraine, but only if their relatives appear.
Yesterday, Russia began mass claims about the alleged start of the transfer of bodies of the dead. Moscow accused Ukraine of delaying the swap. However, these claims proved to be false. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed this.
Today, Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, stated that the start of the body swap is scheduled for next week.
He stated that the Ukrainian side is facing information pressure and attempts by Russia to dictate the terms of the exchange process unilaterally. Budanov stressed that exchange decisions should not be made unilaterally by anyone. Pressure and manipulation are unacceptable here.
"Particularly cynical are the attempts of certain Russian propagandists to speculate on human grief, to which they themselves are connected. All the more, on the great holiday of Trinity, which we are celebrating today," the intelligence chief added.
