Moskalkova: Nine captured Russians were exchanged for the mayor of Melitopol

The first exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine took place. According to Interfax, this was reported by the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatyana Moskalkova.

Moskalkova confirmed that nine Russian prisoners were exchanged for the mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov.

The Ombudsman said that only the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation can name the total number of Ukrainians in Russian captivity. She noted at the same time that there are “much more” than the 500 cards filled out on them, which were handed over to the International Red Cross. According to Moskalkova, Russia is ready for their exchange.

The Ombudswoman expressed her hope that the parties would not “delay with lists, cards, procedures.”

Earlier, we recall, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation stated that “facts of the presence” of conscripts in a special operation in Ukraine were discovered. The department also stressedthat almost all conscripts have now been withdrawn to the territory of Russia. At the same time, one of the units was attacked, and a number of military men, including conscripts, were captured. Currently, according to the department, “exhaustive measures” are being taken to prevent conscripts from entering combat areas.

Recall that on February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), and on February 24 he made an emergency appeal to the Russians and announced a special military operation in Donbass. In his speech, he stated that “circumstances require decisive action from Russia” and stressed that “Russia will not allow Ukraine to have nuclear weapons.”