Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange Talks Face Hurdles, Says Russian Ombudswoman
Russian human rights ombudswoman Yana Lantratova has stated that negotiations on prisoner exchanges with Ukraine are not proceeding smoothly, but Russia remains committed to securing the return of all its nationals. Her remarks were reported by the Russian state news agency TASS.
Speaking to reporters on August 4, Lantratova said: "The negotiations are difficult, but our goal is to bring all of our soldiers home, to bring all civilians home. And we are working toward this goal." She added that her office is currently compiling lists for swaps, including prisoners of war in coordination with the defense ministry and security services, as well as civilians who "physically cannot return home amid the current situation."
Lantratova also claimed that Ukraine is sometimes unwilling to take back its own citizens. "It often happens that we submit lists of those we are ready to hand over but Ukraine is unwilling to take back its citizens," she said.
In a separate interview with TASS, Lantratova addressed the status of Ukrainian civilians in Russia. She asserted: "Russia does not hold peaceful residents in captivity. This is also a humane attitude. For example, it hurts me and I take offense when they say that we are transporting a criminal, but it is an elderly man who came out with a hunting rifle during the shelling of his home - is he a criminal? He is not a criminal at all." She further stated that Ukrainian citizens who wish to go home "can freely leave through Russian territory," recalling an instance where "we saw Ukrainian residents on Russian territory, and we simply handed them over."
Lantratova also accused Ukraine of targeting civilians, saying: "Now, if you look at the tactics that have been chosen on the other side, they are daily attacks on peaceful residents, on playgrounds, on buses with children." She referenced an attack on a bus carrying Belarusian children traveling to Gelendzhik, stating: "They even strike them deliberately. They strike homes and cultural heritage sites."
These comments come amid ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with prisoner exchanges having been a point of contention throughout the war. The claims made by Lantratova have not been independently verified.