Russia, Ukraine prepare Easter prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine are preparing a new prisoner exchange ahead of Easter, according to Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova.

She said work on the exchange is currently underway, but did not specify the number of prisoners involved or the timing of the swap.

Moskalkova noted that both sides had agreed to take steps so that prisoners of war could mark the holiday. “To do everything possible so that prisoners of war can also feel this holiday,” she said, adding that they are expected to receive traditional Easter bread and be given the opportunity to meet with a priest. “On the eve of Easter, extensive work is underway today to prepare prisoner exchanges,” she added.

The last exchange between the two sides took place on February 5 under a “157 for 157” formula. In addition to the swap, three residents of the Kursk region were returned to Russia.

Moskalkova also said she had passed letters from relatives to Ukrainian ombudsperson Dmytro Lubinets for Russian prisoners of war.

Previous exchanges were mediated by the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

By Tamilla Hasanova