As stated by a representative of the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on May 28, out of roughly 2,500 Azov combatants detained under Russian control as prisoners of war, about 1,279 have now been transferred back to Ukraine. This includes 455 members who were part of the Azov Battalion.
The verified figure encompasses personnel serving across various battalions who battled to protect the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol, this announcement follows public outrage expressed through social media platforms.
criticizing
Ukrainian officials have faced criticism for not releasing specific prisoners, such as members of the Azov battalion, during the major prisoner swap involving 1,000 people each, which ended on May 25.
“And behind every statistic lies a person’s life, and no numerical data can stand in for the family members lost,” stated Andrii Yusov, who serves as the deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters.
Radio Liberty
on May 28.
The Ukrainian community has come together in support of the detained Azov combatants who safeguarded the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol.
in 2022 during the Russian assault on the port city
. The battle,
one of the harshest throughout the whole conflict
is recognized for purchasing crucial time for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to ready themselves and secure international military support amid Russia’s invasion during the conflict’s early stages.
The Azovstal defenders received orders to surrender to the surrounding Russian troops following almost two months of relentless shelling at the beleaguered facility. Since 2022, many of these combatants have been released.
Hundreds more still remain captive.
.
Colonel Denys Prokopenko, who leads the Azov National Guard Brigade, referred to the 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap as a “farce” because few members from his brigade were included in the exchange.
In a Facebook update
on May 25.
“Ukraine is battling for each of its citizens. Despite operating under incredibly challenging circumstances due to the comprehensive invasion, the Mariupol garrison continues to be a major focus for us when it comes to evacuation efforts,” Yusov stated on May 25, addressing the discontent expressed online.
Ukraine has consistently promoted an ”
all-for-all
exchange, however, Russia has thus far declined the proposition.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, after the major prisoner swap,
pledged
To “retrieve all of our individuals from captivity in Russia.”
The
three days of swapped prisoners
were agreed upon between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on May 16th, during the
first direct talks
Among the two nations over the course of three years.
On May 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow has suggested June 2 as the date for the subsequent round of negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul.
Read also:
Moscow suggests the following round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations take place on June 2 in Istanbul.
