Russia initiates talks on POW exchange for the first time: Lubinets held conversation with russian Ombudsman

For the first time, the russian side has initiated negotiations on prisoner of war exchanges. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights, has already had a conversation with russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova regarding prisoner exchanges. Lubinets shared this information during a broadcast on the national Ukrainian TV news marathon on August 15.

"Regarding the situation with russian prisoners of war, I can't disclose details, but you have seen videos of russian soldiers surrendering... As for communication with the russian side, I can speak for myself. Yes, there was an initiative conversation from the russian side on this issue", - Lubinets said.

He emphasized that it was indeed the russian side that initiated the conversation.

Lubinets noted that russian media are currently reporting public statements suggesting that the russian side has decided to suspend exchanges. However, he refuted this, stating that discussions between the two countries are ongoing.

"I am also informing the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations that the rights of russian prisoners of war are being protected. We are monitoring the situation, and at any time Ukraine is ready to continue the exchange processes based on the Geneva Convention", - Lubinets said, stressing that Ukrainian armed forces adhere to international humanitarian law—taking prisoners according to the Geneva Convention, without resorting to torture or ill-treatment.

It was previously reported that over 100 russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian forces in the Kursk oblast over the past 24 hours.