Ukraine was preparing return of "significantly larger number" of POWs, Ukrainian intelligence says
Andrii Yusov, spokesman for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), has said Ukraine was working on securing the return of a significantly larger number of POWs than the 182 people freed on 11 April, but hopes this exchange will be "only the beginning of an Easter swap".
Source: Yusov in a comment to Ukrinform
Quote: "Of course, the return of 182 people is a lot, but preparations were underway and there were expectations, and Ukraine was working on the return of a significantly larger number of our defenders ahead of Easter. Sadly, the enemy rejected these humanitarian initiatives by Ukraine, which we were willing to undertake, as with many other things.
Meanwhile, the work continues. We can very cautiously say that the measures will continue in the near future, the operation will continue and we will be able to say that today was only the beginning of the Easter exchange."
Background:
- On 11 April, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange that resulted in Ukraine bringing home 175 military personnel and seven civilians.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes that exchanges with Russia will continue in the near future.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!