Over 40% of those held hostage by Russia are civilians. This was stated by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Kirill Budanov in an interview with the Voice of America.
According to him, the Russians took the vast majority of hostages in Ukraine in the first days of a full-scale invasion. However, 1,863 defenders captured by the Russians have already been released from captivity, 107 of them are civilians.
Unfortunately, Russians have more prisoners of war than we do. This is very simply explained. First of all, they captured 90% of all prisoners of war in the first days. The first days are the first month. Plus, a terrible tragedy in Mariupol, when everyone was forced to take the step they had taken. But there is another, shall we say, side. Not widely known. About 40% of those held hostage are civilians. Just civilians. Therefore, in principle, it is clear that our number is less. We don’t take civilian prisoners. There are many women, unfortunately, and children, as well as elders, postmen, railway workers, mayors, janitors… Everything is there,” said the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
Budanov added that the exchange of prisoners during hostilities is a unique situation. The Coordination Headquarters continues to make daily efforts to ensure that all Ukrainians return from enemy captivity as soon as possible.
Source: Racurs
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