215 Ukrainian and Foreign Prisoners Freed In Swap
In an amazing swap the former Ukrainian steel plant defenders were freed along with foreign prisoner’s for a top Putin ally. A recent article on NBC News.com tells the news of the prisoner swap.
Sept. 22, 2022, 4:15 AM EDT By The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine announced a high-profile prisoner swap early Thursday that culminated months of efforts to free many of the Ukrainian fighters who defended a steel plant in Mariupol during a long Russian siege. In exchange, Ukraine gave up an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government had won freedom from Russian custody for 215 Ukrainian and foreign citizens. He said many were soldiers and officers who had faced the death penalty in Russian-occupied territory.
Russia officials didn’t immediately confirm or otherwise comment on the swap.
“It is not a pity to give up Medvedchuk for real warriors,” Zelenskyy said in a post on his website. “He has passed all the investigative actions provided by law. Ukraine has received from him everything necessary to establish the truth in the framework of criminal proceedings.”