Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels begin prisoner swap
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 26 December 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels begin prisoner swap, 26 December 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be135d4.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 26, 2014
Ukrainian prisoners of war under the supervision of a rebel guard, walk in a street in the eastern city of Ilovaisk, controlled by pro-Russian rebels. Despite today's prisoner swap, rebels are believed to be holding around 500 more government soldiers in captivity.
Ukraine and pro-Russian separatist rebels have begun swapping prisoners under the terms of a preliminary peace deal signed in Minsk on December 24.
Russian news agencies reported that the exchange was taking place in a neutral location some 30 kilometers north of the rebel-held city of Donetsk on December 26.
The prisoner exchange was expected to involve more than 220 separatist gunmen and some 150 Ukrainian soldiers.
State security sources in Kyiv said the separatists would still be holding about 500 government soldiers after the exchange.
Earlier, officials in Belarus said a key round of peace talks between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels – tentatively scheduled for December 26 – had been canceled.
Kyiv had hoped the meeting would lead to the signing of a final peace deal on ending fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Based on reporting by ria.ru, Interfax, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
