Russian ombudswoman says prisoner exchanges with Ukraine suspended

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia’s ombudswoman on Wednesday said prisoner exchanges between her country and Ukraine have been suspended for several months.

“Unfortunately, for several months, due to Ukraine, which constantly puts forward new, far-fetched demands, exchanges have been suspended,” Tatyana Moskalkova told the Russian state news agency TASS.

Moskalkova did not specify the details regarding demands put forward by Kyiv, and Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the ombudswoman's remarks.

Russia and Ukraine have carried out numerous prisoner exchanges since the war between both countries began on Feb. 24, 2022.

However, the two warring countries have not conducted a prisoner exchange since early February, when they returned 100 servicemen each with the mediation of the United Arab Emirates.​​​​​​​