BREAKING

248 Russian military personnel released from Ukrainian captivity

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Jan 2024 20:39
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A statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that all the released Russian servicemen are receiving essential medical and psychological support.

Russian prisoners of war hold their hands behind their backs as they queue for lunch at a camp for Russian POWs in western Ukraine on September 19, 2023 (Roman Pilipey, AFP)

On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that 248 Russian military personnel have been repatriated from Ukrainian captivity, facilitated through the mediation of the United Arab Emirates. The ministry noted that these service members would be directed for treatment and rehabilitation.

"On January 3, as a result of a complex negotiation process, 248 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. The return of the Russian servicemen from captivity was made possible thanks to the mediatory involvement of the humanitarian character of the United Arab Emirates," the ministry said.

The statement further emphasized that all the released Russian servicemen are receiving essential medical and psychological support.

They are slated to undergo treatment and rehabilitation in the medical facilities operated by the Russian Defense Ministry.

Testimonies of torture

On January 15, 2023, Russian Commissioner for Human Rights, Ombudswoman Tatiana Moskalkova urged her Ukrainian counterpart, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to demand that Ukraine stop using torture against prisoners of war.

"I urge the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Committee against Torture, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the International Committee of the Red Cross to demand that the Ukrainian side immediately comply with the Geneva Convention of 1949, which prohibits torture, violence and acts degrading to human dignity," Moskalkova said on Telegram.

The ombudswoman revealed that the relatives of captured Russian troops had received footage showing violence being carried out against the prisoners and threats that the captives would be killed if the people behind the camera did not receive a ransom.

Furthermore, she said she was drafting an appeal to the Russian Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin on such cases, expressing hope that the captured soldiers would be released.