The transfer took place outside the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk under the watch of international observers and Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko said 36 Ukrainian servicemen were released after negotiations and added that a further 21 soldiers had been freed the day before.
Ukrainian forces, on their part, handed over 31 pro-Russian rebels who had been detained over the course of the five-month conflict.
However, shortly after the prisoner exchange, a volley of rocket fire was heard from central Donetsk.
The process of release is that two sets of captives were brought out wearing handcuffs, which were removed as they were handed over. The prisoners were split up into small groups for the exchange. One representative apiece from the separatist rebels and the Ukrainian government checked people who were being freed against an available list and crossed out names as they were being released.
It seems hundreds of prisoners are held by both the sides and no actual figures have been provided by either of the sides.
Some more similar reports ...
Russia threatens to stop flights over its airspace if stupid sanctions are imposed
UN report reveals that over 3000 killed in Ukraine violence
Russia’s double game – artillery attack on Mariupol even as ceasefire is on
NATO pushing Russia to the brink with new sanctions
Ukraine and Iraq high on agenda of NATO talks
EU pushing Russia into a corner on Ukraine issue with threats of more sanctions
Pro-Russian activists force Ukraine troops to abandon Luhansk airport
Setback for Ukraine as pro-Russia separatists take over coastal town of Novoazovsk
Poroshenko cancels visit to Turkey because of Russian troop deployments in Ukraine
10 Russian soldiers caught in Donetsk - Russia says: they must have crossed the border by mistake
Russia hoodwinks Ukraine – sends military equipment in guise of humanitarian aid
No comments:
Post a Comment