Representative of the Ombudsman: Russia blocks hostage exchange to undermine the situation in Ukraine

The representative of the Ombudsman says that the Russian side is using the issue of hostages and prisoners as a lever to influence the internal situation in Ukraine, in particular, to undermine public opinion.

The Human Rights Centre ZMINA reports.

In his words, the Geneva Convention does not define the procedure for the return of civilian prisoners, so there is no sustainable mechanism for their return that Ukraine could rely on. Russia is therefore using this to its advantage.

"Russia is politicising the situation. Exchanges are being blocked on the Russian side to undermine public opinion in Ukraine. It wants society to put pressure on the authorities to make peace with Russia," ZMINA quoted the ombudsman's representative as saying. 

He noted that in Russia and the occupied territories, so-called "trials" of prisoners are being held, which is a systematic violation of international law. Russian violations of international humanitarian law are also one of the reasons for not returning civilian hostages.

Russia confirms the holding of civilian hostages through the International Committee of the Red Cross. However, the relatives of the prisoners complained about the work of the ICRC in not confirming the whereabouts of the Ukrainians, despite the criminal cases that have been opened, and asked representatives of the Ombudsman and the Coordination Centre to arrange a meeting with the Red Cross.