Ukraine: Russia tortures
Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners
03/25/2022, 07:41 am
For the first time since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the opponents are apparently exchanging prisoners of war. In addition, civilian seafarers are released. But Ukraine is raising serious new allegations: the Russian army is torturing civilians.
According to both sides, Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war. “In exchange for ten captured occupiers, we got ten of our soldiers back,” said Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk. She also accused Russian forces of detaining and torturing civilians.
According to Wereshchuk, it was the “first real exchange of prisoners of war” since the Russian invasion began a month ago. In addition, 11 Russian civilian seamen rescued from a ship that sank in the Black Sea near Odessa were sent to Russia. In exchange, 19 sailors captured by the Russians returned to Ukraine.
The Kremlin confirmed the exchange of prisoners, including the number of prisoners of war released. On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that two exchanges had taken place since the Russian invasion began – without giving any further details.
“No one goes unpunished”
Vereshchuk also said in a video that Russian forces had captured 14 Ukrainian officials, mostly deputies of local parliaments or representatives of municipalities. She called for their release and stressed that the detention of civilians violated international law.
She also accused Russian soldiers of torture, citing testimonies from Ukrainians released by Russian forces. She promised that those responsible would have to face international justice. “All members of the Russian army who hear this statement must know that no one will go unpunished,” she said.