Russia and Ukraine will exchange prisoners in the near future, but the date has not yet been announced, said Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova during a working visit to Yekaterinburg. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
"The main thing is that we are preparing a new exchange. Negotiations are underway on the exchange of prisoners of war and civilians. I can say one thing: it will happen soon. We are not announcing the date for two reasons: first, so as not to jeopardize the process, and second, so as not to raise hopes or disappoint families waiting for their loved ones," Lantratova said.
She also noted that after release, prisoners are given phones and they call their families. "As soon as I pick up the guys and give them phones, they call their wives, mothers and children. It's very touching," she said.
The ombudsman noted that in May and June, 550 Russian servicemen were returned, seven of whom were from the Sverdlovsk region.