The Human Rights Ombudsman in the DPR Daria Morozova thanked the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus Kirill for their contribution to the exchange of prisoners.
“We have finally managed to liberate our captives. First of all, I would like to thank to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus Kirill, who convinced the Ukrainian side of the need for this political decision,” – Morozova said today at a DAN press-conference.
The exchange of prisoners between DPR, LPR and Ukraine transpired on December 27, 2017 and became one of the most large-scale exchanges since the beginning of the conflict in Donbass. It took place near the checkpoint outside Gorlovka. As a result, the Ukrainian side handed over 160 persons to Donetsk, and 57 persons returned back to Kiev from the DPR.
To be reminded, progress in negotiations was observed in the mid-November, 2017, after a whole year of a relative standstill. The Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko. An initiative of the leader of movement “Ukrainian choice – the right of the people” Victor Medvedchuk regarding the exchange was discussed. Later, on December 25, Zakharchenko took part in a peacekeeping meeting with Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus Kirill, where the exchange of prisoners was discussed, and confirmed readiness of the Republic to release detained persons.
