For nearly two years now, the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been an ongoing concern. In a recent development, the two nations have engaged in the first exchange of captured soldiers since the crash of a Russian military transport plane.
Also Read: Budget 2024: PM-Kisan Payouts, Housing, Jobs On Priority
Moscow claimed that the plane, which it said had 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoWs) on board, was downed by Ukraine in the Belgorod region using an American Patriot system. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin provided no evidence to support this claim.
In this landmark swap, both Russia and Ukraine report the return of 195 soldiers each. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that 207 Ukrainian soldiers were part of this exchange. The circumstances surrounding the downed Il-76 military transport plane are shrouded in controversy.
The initial assertions by the Russian military spoke of dozens of Ukrainian soldiers on board, intending to conduct a prisoner exchange in the area. They reported no survivors and claimed casualties among the Russian crew members and escorting officials.
The issue of prisoner exchanges is emotionally charged in both nations, with families of captives urging their respective governments to take decisive action. President Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to bringing back captive soldiers, citing 50 previous PoW exchanges and the repatriation of 3,035 individuals from Russia.
Despite Russia’s claims, no concrete evidence has been presented, and Kyiv neither confirms nor denies the allegations, citing the absence of confirmation. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s ombudsman for human rights, acknowledged this exchange as the 50th since the onset of Russia’s invasion nearly two years ago, resulting in the repatriation of a total of 3,035 PoWs.
The released Ukrainians encompassed members of the armed forces, National Guard, Border Service, and national police. Some of them had been captured while valiantly defending strategic locations like Mariupol, Azovstal, and Snake Island.
The Russian military contends that the swapped Russian PoWs, allegedly facing deadly danger in captivity, will be flown to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation. However, no specific details or evidence have been provided to substantiate this claim.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
