"Ukraine will do everything possible": Lubinets spoke out about prisoner exchanges with Russian Federation

It is currently impossible to predict whether Russia will agree to prisoner-of-war exchanges after the downing of the IL-76 on January 24. However, Ukraine will make every effort to continue the return of Ukrainian citizens held in Russia.

This was stated by Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, on the air of the United News telethon. He also noted that in the case of the exchange that did not take place on January 24 and subsequent exchanges, Russia is showing the same cunning as on the battlefield.

"I cannot comment publicly, but a large team of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War is constantly working to ensure that exchanges occur. But do not forget who we are trying to negotiate with – the Russian Federation. They are both insidiously fighting against us and insidiously negotiating," the ombudsman said.

Lubinets noted that Russia continues to use the issue of prisoners of war and relatives of prisoners of war as a tool against the Ukrainian authorities to destabilize the situation in the country. He stated that the next exchange was indeed scheduled for January 24.

"I can confirm the information that the exchange was indeed planned. And as always, representatives of our institution were present. We do this to immediately analyze the condition of our heroes who return from captivity," said the Commissioner.

Speaking about the situation with the IL-76 that crashed in Russia on January 24, Lubinets noted that according to the Geneva Convention, the country that holds prisoners of war bears full responsibility for their lives and health – in this case, it is Russia.

According to the convention, Russia had to notify the International Red Cross of its intention to transport prisoners of war in order to determine all the necessary legal aspects to ensure safe and dignified transportation and route.

Mr. Lubinets also noted that the fact that Russia launched an information campaign against Ukraine in advance is important in the history of the IL-76 crash.

"For example, I was very surprised by such a quick reaction from the Russian Federation. I immediately had parallel associations with the explosion in Olenivka. Deja vu. We've been through this before," the ombudsman emphasized.

He said that Ukraine would insist on an objective international investigation. In particular, on January 25, Lubinets will send letters to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"Regarding the international investigation, I believe that we will do everything we can to make it happen. But I am convinced that, as with the case in Olenivka, the Russians will make loud statements, will not allow anyone to come, and will not hand over any materials," Lubinets summarized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Ukrainian intelligence does not rule out that the terrorist country Russia could use Ukrainian prisoners of war as human shields to transport weapons. According to a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, the Russian occupiers claimed that the crashed IL-76 plane was only one-third loaded.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the military transport plane IL-76, which crashed on the morning of January 24 in the Belgorod region, was supposed to carry Russian military and political VIPs. It is noteworthy that at the last moment, the FSB forbade them to board.

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