Russia plotting fake prisoner videos to pressure Ukraine, Zelenskyy warns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: Getty Images)
The Russians are preparing a series of provocations with Ukrainian prisoners of war in Belarus, forcing them to record video messages to their parents with complaints about the alleged "inaction" of the Ukrainian side, according to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Rustem Umerov is conducting difficult negotiations regarding the lists with Vladimir Medinsky. According to the data from the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, it is clear to us what the Russians intend to do. They want to fill the lists of Ukrainians only from their side, despite our request," Zelenskyy said.
He also added that the Russians want to bring some of the prisoners to Belarus, forcing them to record video messages to their parents, as if the Ukrainian authorities are not bringing their citizens back.
"Such Russian provocations are being prepared. This is simply an attempt to put pressure on us. However, we are taking every step to ensure that all previous agreements on exchanges are implemented, covering various stages of the exchanges. We are working to bring all our people home," the President of Ukraine added.
Prisoner exchanges
Previously, on October 2, Ukraine and Russia carried out another exchange of prisoners of war. 185 defenders returned home. These were soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.
They defended Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022. Along with the soldiers, 20 civilians were also returned.
It is noted that the latest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia was a combined one. One part of it was under the Istanbul agreements, and the other was the regular, 69th exchange.
More photos and details of the prisoner exchange can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report.
