Ukraine Urges Russia for Transparent Prisoner Swap List Amid Accusations of Sabotage

Ukraine Demands Russian Cooperation on Prisoner Swap Amid Tensions

Ukraine has called on Russia to share a list of Ukrainian prisoners eligible for a swap following accusations from Moscow that Kyiv is stalling the exchange process. The appeal, issued on Sunday, underscores ongoing tension surrounding prisoner swaps since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Kyiv’s Request for Transparency

Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets voiced Kyiv's readiness for further exchanges, urging his Russian counterpart on Telegram to provide an updated list of Ukrainian prisoners. "We are always ready to exchange prisoners of war!" he affirmed, countering claims that Ukraine is obstructing the process.

Moscow’s Accusations and Kyiv’s Response

The last prisoner exchange between the two nations occurred in mid-October, with each side bringing home 95 captives. However, recent allegations from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggest that Ukraine is hindering the process, accusing Kyiv of refusing to reclaim its citizens. Russia claims it has offered 935 Ukrainian prisoners, yet Ukraine has reportedly accepted only 279.

In response, Lubinets emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to receiving its nationals, attributing the delays to Russian bureaucracy.

Russian Stance on Dialogue and Accusations

Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Tatyana Moskalkova, has called for a “constructive dialogue” to expedite prisoner exchanges, accusing Ukraine of politicizing the issue.