Ukraine pronounces largest prisoner trade but, together with Mariupol fighters.

Ukraine introduced the most important trade of prisoners of conflict since Russia launched its invasion in February, with 144 troopers returned to Ukraine, together with dozens of troopers who defended in opposition to the Russian siege of Mariupol, a southern port metropolis that turned an emblem of Russian repression and Ukrainian defiance.

Whereas the trade has been shrouded in secrecy, Denis Pushilin, the top of Russian proxy forces within the Donetsk area in jap Ukraine, mentioned that 144 Russian and proxy forces have been returned house in trade for the 144 Ukrainians.

Greater than 2,500 Ukrainian troopers surrendered in mid-Could after holding out for months in bunkers beneath the sprawling Azovstal metal manufacturing unit in Mariupol. Their give up was rigorously negotiated between Russia, Ukraine and worldwide mediators, and marked the top of one of many conflict’s most brutal battles.

Whereas Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners on a number of events over the course of the conflict — together with 17 Ukrainians returned in an trade introduced earlier this week — the destiny of the garrison from Mariupol has been among the many most delicate problems with the conflict.

When the Ukrainian authorities issued the give up directive to finish the standoff, the federal government vowed to do all it may to make sure they’d be returned house.

The Kremlin propaganda machine had lengthy sought to make use of the far-right origins of the Azov regiment, which performed a lead function within the protection of the town, as proof of its false declare that the Ukrainian state has been contaminated with Nazism.

In his speech saying the Russian invasion, Mr. Putin promised to “denazify Ukraine, in addition to convey to trial those that perpetrated quite a few bloody crimes in opposition to civilians.”

Following the give up of the final garrison in Mariupol, some Russian lawmakers have been fast to name for the demise penalty and even proposed a ban on any trade of prisoners that might enable members of the Azov regiment to go free.

In an announcement, Ukraine’s principal intelligence directorate mentioned that 95 defenders of the Azovstal metal manufacturing unit, together with 43 from the Azov regiment, had been launched throughout the trade. A lot of the exchanged troopers had been severely injured, the assertion mentioned, together with some which have fractures, burns and amputated limbs.

Included within the trade are a husband and spouse, each troopers with the Azov regiment, in accordance with Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the protection intelligence of Ukraine. The husband was captured at Azovstal. His spouse was captured earlier in a unique location. They’ve two kids.

“The youngsters have been dwelling with out their mother and father,” Mr. Budanov mentioned. “We insisted that the Russians to provide them over.” Each have been a part of the trade.

The commanders of the Azov regiment and a marine unit who fought at Azovstal have been moved to Moscow, the place they’re being held on the infamous Lefortovo Jail, in accordance with Mr. Budanov. Amongst these being detained are Lt. Col. Denys Prokopenko, the top of the Azov regiment at Azovstal, and Capt. Svyatoslav Palamar, his deputy, together with Maj. Serhiy Volyna, commander of the thirty sixth Separate Marine Brigade.

“They are saying they’re conducting investigative actions,” Mr. Budanov mentioned, referring to the Russian authorities. “However we perceive they’re present process recruitment — directing them to undertake the Russian place on these occasions. That is conflict, you perceive.”

Mr. Pushilin, the top of Russian proxy forces within the Donetsk area, mentioned that among the troopers handed over to Kyiv have been members of “nationalist battalions” and that they have been in very dangerous situation. “They’ve extreme accidents, some have amputated limbs and different issues,” he mentioned.

The response of some army bloggers in Russia was swift and indignant, calling the trade a betrayal.

Yuri Podolyaka, a well-liked pro-Russian blogger, mentioned it was “a spit within the face of troopers on the entrance traces and residents of the Donbas.”

“If that is referred to as ‘denazification’ of Ukraine, maybe it wasn’t price beginning it,” he mentioned in his channel on Telegram, a social messaging app.