Interfax: DPR claims Ukraine holding approx. 450 prisoners of war
DONETSK. Aug 27 (Interfax) – The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic allows for the possibility of carrying out a new prisoner swap with Ukraine next week.
“According to the official data, 450-460 prisoners of war are being held by the other side in addition to civilians. These are those who have been reported,” Viktor Anosov, a representative of the DPR military police, has told reporters.
An exchange is possible next week but it will be twice smaller than the one arranged on Wednesday and Thursday, he said.
“We are not applying any violent methods to the captives,” Anosov said.
The militia and Ukraine held a ’12 for 12′ prisoner swap on Wednesday and Thursday. The exchange was made in two steps amid tensions escalating in direct proximity to the exchange point.
Advisor to the Ukrainian Security Service head Yuriy Tandyt told the 112. Ukraine television channel that ten of the twelve Ukrainians released from captivity on Thursday were military men and two were civilians.
In his words, the DPR and the LPR are holding over 150 captives. “Some 155 people are still be held, and I think this [release] process will continue in the upcoming days,” Tandyt said