It is not about the exchange of prisoners of war, but about repatriation – the return of seriously wounded prisoners without conditions, as stipulated by international humanitarian law.
Ukraine took a humanitarian action and handed over to the aggressor country Russia all seriously wounded prisoners, whose condition allowed for transportation, obtained since the beginning of the war. This was announced by the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on Friday, March 23.
“Following international obligations, in accordance with Articles 109-114 of the Geneva Conventions and with the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Ukraine has unilaterally transferred the seriously injured and seriously ill invaders to the Russian side. In this case, we are not talking about the exchange of prisoners of war, but about repatriation: the return of seriously wounded prisoners without any conditions, as stipulated by international humanitarian law.
At the same time, the number of seriously wounded attackers transferred to Russia was not reported.
The Coordination Headquarters states that the Russian Federation is still holding thousands of Ukrainian citizens hostage, especially the seriously and wounded, civilians, children and women, the elderly, as well as those taken captive of Russia even before the war began.
“All these categories of citizens, in accordance with international humanitarian law, must be returned to Ukraine by repatriation without any conditions. Despite this, Russia not only continues to hold civilians and non- hostage fighters, but also refused to allow representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross in their places of detention, does not give them contact with their relatives, proper nutrition, medical care, deliberately creates of inhumane conditions in captivity,” the message emphasizes.
Ukraine called on the international community to increase pressure on the aggressor state to force Russia to comply with international humanitarian law and release all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens from captivity.
Recall that during the war year, Ukraine made 38 prisoner exchanges. 1863 people were released, including 1756 servicemen.
The last exchange took place on March 7th. Then 130 soldiers returned from captivity.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.