Donetsk, Jun 29 — DAN. The Donetsk People’s Republic and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war for the first time after the beginning of the special operation, under the 144 for 144 formula, DPR Head Denis Pushilin said.
“Today, we’re bringing home 144 DPR militiamen and Russian servicemen captured by the enemy, ” Pushilin said. “We handed over to Kiev as many POWs from Ukrainian armed formation, most of them were wounded. Some are privates from nationalistic battalions: they are in a sorry condition with heavy wounds, amputated limbs and other complications.”
There are very valuable servicemen and mobilized fighters among the people released from Ukrainian captivity. “Most of them were wounded and need urgent quality medical assistance. I wish them soonest recovery, ” he said.
Earlier, DPR ombudswoman Darya Morozova told the Donetsk News Agency that the DPR was preparing POW lists for a possible swap with Ukraine.
The DPR and Ukraine last exchanged prisoners in April 2020. Donetsk passed nine people to Kiev and got ten. Later on, the prison exchange issue was put on hold due to Ukraine’s unwillingness to drop criminal charges against the released detainees.*jk