Return of Mariupol defenders from Russian captivity is the most difficult issue

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, has said the issue of returning Mariupol defenders from Russian captivity remains the most difficult.

Source: Lubinets on the national joint 24/7 newscast, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "The situation with the defenders of Mariupol remains the most difficult."

Details: Lubinets said that 193 out of the 205 defenders who returned to Ukraine on Friday had been held in Russian captivity since 2022 and many of them were Mariupol defenders.

Quote: "Everyone has lost weight. The conditions of detention on the territory of the Russian Federation remain extremely poor. The guys do not receive enough food and adequate medical care is not provided, so they were all immediately taken to hospital."

Details: Lubinets expressed hope that the Russian side will keep its word and that the process of returning people as part of prisoner exchanges will continue.

Quote: "Indeed, this is the first stage, at least from the Ukrainian side. That is how we see it. We have passed on all the information requested by our mediators and partners – the United States and the United Arab Emirates."

Details: Lubinets said four civilians had also returned home: "One of them is an elderly Ukrainian woman, 86 years old. I spoke with her for quite a long time today. She is one of those who were forcibly taken by the Russians from Sumy Oblast to Russia."

In addition, letters from relatives were handed over to Ukrainian prisoners.

"The Russians agreed to accept 828 letters from us. I hope they will be delivered as quickly as possible to our guys who remain in captivity," he said.

Responding to a question about the timeline for the return of the remaining nearly 800 prisoners as part of this exchange, Lubinets said that nothing can ever be 100% certain in talks with the Russians.

Quote: "We have done everything we were asked to do. We provided all the information and many lists. We once again emphasised that we demand compliance with the agreements so that those seriously wounded, seriously ill and those held in Russian captivity since 2022 are returned first. These are our demands, supported by the mediating countries."

Background: Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on Friday 15 May, during which 205 Ukrainian citizens were brought back home.

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