18/10/2022
Ukraine and Russia exchange only female prisoners for the first time Most of those released were officers, soldiers and sergeants of the Ukrainian armed forces, but there were also 12 civilians evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks, in the city of Mariupol (southeast), besieged by Russian forces at the beginning of the conflict. Yermak assured that some of those released had been detained since 2019 by pro-Russians in eastern Ukraine, who accused them of being "pro-Ukrainian". One of the pro-Russian leaders, Denis Pushilin, confirmed the exchange, indicating that Russia had recovered 110 people detained by the Ukrainians. 80 merchant marines, who were held hostage, return home. In addition, 30 soldiers from the Donetsk Lugansk republics and other regions of Russia are released," he added. more prisoners Once the exchange was known, the president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, urged his forces to take more prisoners, assuring that in this way the release of soldiers who are still in the hands of the Russian invaders could be achieved. "I thank everyone who was involved in this success, and also those who replenish our trading fund by capturing enemies," he said. "The more Russian prisoners we have, the faster we can free our heroes. Every Ukrainian soldier, every frontline commander, has to remember that," she added. One of those released, medic Viktoria Obidina, said they were not informed of the exchange until the last minute."Now I want to go see my daughter, I miss her desperately," the woman told the media. Follow us so that you are aware of all the news worldwide.
