The greatest exchange of prisoners: ISW explained why Russia has given hostages right now
It is likely that, after a long pause, Russia wants to show that he is interested in acting within the framework of international law and norms. This is stated in the report of the American Institute of War Study (ISW) of January 3. It is noted that this is the first official exchange of prisoners of war since August last year. The military of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, Navy and the State Border Service returned home.
A large number of military people returned to Ukraine on the island of Snake and Mariupol. In particular, they have been in Russian captivity for almost two years. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation declared the return of 248 of its military from Ukraine. They also thanked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the role of mediator in this exchange. Analysts say that Russian sources have written about the various number of Ukrainian soldiers who were returned.
Some wrote that 173 people were released from captivity and others were released by "up to 230" people. Russian military bloggers praised the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, as the number of Russian military returned was greater than the Ukrainian ones. In particular, it seemed to be ripe after exchange in September 2022. At that time, Ukraine returned 215 prisoners of war from Russian captivity, including the leaders of the Azov Regiment.
It was these servicemen who promised to put lattice for the rest of the war. However, they were exchanged for 55 Russian prisoners and political prisoners, among which was accused of experting expert Viktor Medvedchuk. The Institute of War Study is paying attention to the time when Russia has agreed to exchange prisoners of war.
A representative of the Ukrainian Coordination Staff on the management of prisoners of war Petro Yatsenko reported in November that the Russian Federation had frozen the exchange of summer last year for an unknown reason. Analysts emphasize that it has become known about several cases in recent weeks, when the invaders used captives of Ukrainian military in violation of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of Pursuing.
In particular, it is about the use of prisoners in hostilities, the use of Ukrainian fighters as a living shield, a execution without trial and investigation. In ISW, it is probably against the background of this information that Russia has decided to have such a great exchange. In this way, they want to show that they are interested in acting within the framework of international law and norms.
We will remind, in the framework of the exchange of prisoners, which took place on January 3, in addition to the military from captivity of the Russian Federation, six civilians were also released, including: musician, woman on maternity leave and teacher of the university. Also, a combat medicine was returned to Ukraine, who fought 36 UZHPMP.