Russia, Ukraine exchange 230 war prisoners
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The ombudswoman mentioned that her team was in constant contact with the families of Russian soldiers.
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Illustrative photo of Ukrainian servicemen walk out from a bus after returning from captivity during POWs exchange in Sumy region, Ukraine, Friday, May 31, 2024 (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova congratulated the families and friends of Russian service members who were released from Ukrainian captivity on Saturday, stating that she will continue to support efforts for future prisoner exchanges.
"I sincerely congratulate the mothers and wives, fathers and brothers, friends of our servicemen who have returned to their homeland! Now they will undergo rehabilitation, if necessary, treatment … We will continue facilitating the return of [captured] military personnel to their homeland," Moskalkova said on Telegram.
The ombudswoman mentioned that her team was in constant contact with the families of Russian soldiers.
Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that, with the assistance of UAE mediators, they had secured the release of 115 Russian military personnel captured in Ukrainian-controlled territories in exchange for 115 Ukrainian troops.
"As a result of a negotiation process, 115 Russian servicemen taken prisoner in the Kursk region have been returned from territories controlled by the Kyiv regime," the Russian defense ministry said.
This marks the 55th prisoner exchange since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has on his part expressed his commitment to continue efforts to bring all Ukrainian prisoners back from Russia, while both sides have kept the total number of prisoners confidential.
Read more: US-Russia prisoner swap begins as plane lands in Ankara
Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia's Human Rights Commissioner since 2016, has a long career in law and public service.
She began her career in the legal field in the 1970s and served in various legal capacities within the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) from 1984 to 2007.
As Human Rights Commissioner, Moskalkova has focused on a variety of issues, including the protection of Russian citizens' rights abroad and efforts to ensure the humane treatment of Russian prisoners of war.
She has been active in responding to citizens' complaints, setting up hotlines and mobile working groups to address human rights concerns more effectively.
Moskalkova has been recognized for her efforts to support the rights of social groups and her emphasis on socio-economic rights.
