Donetsk, Oct 17 — DAN. The prisoner exchange with Ukraine under the formula “110 for 110” has been carried through, interim Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin said on Monday.
“The prisoner swap is completed. In actual fact, we got 110 people and handed over 108, ” Pushilin said. “Two women refused to go to Ukraine as they decided to stay back in Russia.”
Earlier, he said that 80 sailors had been released from Ukrainian captivity, whom Kiev had held hostage for several months. Also, 30 servicemen from the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic and other Russian regions were freed.
In January, 11 Russian bulk carriers docked for repairs in the port of Izmail, Odessa region. Overall, there were some 90 people on board. Ukraine banned the sailors from leaving their vessels after Russia began a special military operation. In May, several people were reportedly set free under accords with Ukraine.*jk