Russia says it offered Ukraine to exchange 935 prisoners of war in 2024 but Kyiv agreed only to 279

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Saturday that Moscow offered Kyiv to exchange 935 prisoners of war, but that Ukraine agreed to take only 279.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Maria Zakharova said Kyiv refuses to exchange those soldiers who surrendered, slamming them as “traitors,” and that there are at least three brigades that are considered by Ukraine as “unsuitable” for exchange.

According to Zakharova, Kyiv makes preferences for the combatants of “Nazi” battalions, including Azov, Audra, and Pravy Sector, which use Nazi Germany symbols, including svastika, as part of their military emblems.

Zakharova’s remarks came amid Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry call to establish an international mechanism to supervise Ukrainian war prisoners in Russia.

She urged Kyiv to use the existing mechanism that allows to solve all related issues, and not to make “political publicity” on the fates of its citizens.