Ukraine's ombudsman exposes Russia's brutal treatment of freed prisoner
Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Ukrainian Parliament (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
One of the boys, released today as part of the prisoner exchange, reported mockery from the Russian Federation. He was assured that Ukraine had allegedly abandoned him, according to Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Ukrainian Parliament.
"One of the guys informed me today that he was taken several times supposedly for an exchange and then returned, being told that Ukraine had rejected him," the statement reads.
According to Lubinets, the Russian side never actually agreed to the exchange throughout this time.
"I consider this as physical and psychological torture against a person," added the ombudsman.
Prisoner exchange
Today, January 3, the largest prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place since the full-scale invasion began. Ukraine managed to bring home 230 defenders.
Such a prisoner exchange occurred after a prolonged pause. Russia had long blocked the process. This marks the 49th prisoner exchange since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the first in 2024. Currently, Ukraine has succeeded in bringing home 2828 defenders.
The Head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, announced that the United Arab Emirates assisted in organizing the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, which took place on January 3.
