More than 160 Lugansk People’s Republic servicemen have returned from Ukrainian captivity in the course of prisoner exchanges in 2023, LPR ombudsperson Viktoria Serdyukova said at a Lugansk Media Center press briefing.
“Ukraine has released 169 servicemen this year; POW exchanges became regular after May 2022,” Seryukova said.
However, they stopped in May 2023 as (Ukrainian President Vladimir) Zelensky banned any interaction with the Russian Federation, she said.
But even after all contacts were terminated, the sides continued to exchange bodies of killed servicemen. Over this period, four servicemen returned to their homeland alive thanks to the mediation by LPR leader’s aide Anna Soroka.
According to appeals from residents, more than 1,000 servicemen are currently in Ukrainian captivity. Kiev also holds up to 1,000 civilians who have LPR passports or are facing charges of separatism.
“Residents of Ukrainian servicemen ask us to find their whereabouts, inquire about their health and help return home. There were 719 such appeals in 2023,” the LPR omdusperson said.
In 2022, 192 LPR 2nd Army Corps servicemen and one civilian (cleric) returned home in POW exchanges with Ukraine.
Serdyukova’s Office reported that it has received about 3,700 appeals this year.*i*sb
