MOSCOW, March 22 (NNN-TASS) — Russia and Ukraine exchanged the first prisoners of war, nine Russian servicemen were released, according to Human Rights Commissioner in Russia Tatyana Moskalkova.
“The first exchange happened. We returned nine of our boys,” she said in an interview with RT, confirming that Russian servicemen were exchanged for the mayor of Melitopol.
Earlier, media reported on the exchange of nine Russian servicemen for the mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, citing the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Fedorov was abducted by Russian forces on March 11. In a statement, Ukraine foreign ministry called his capture “a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.”
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian Office of the President, said in a Telegram message that Fedorov will “soon return to his duties” as mayor. — NNN-AGENCIES
