Russia‘s High Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova has accused Ukrainian authorities of repeatedly rejecting proposed prisoner exchanges, claiming Kyiv has been unwilling to accept the return of Ukrainian citizens held in Russia.
Lantratova said Russian authorities, working with the Defence Ministry and other agencies, regularly provide Ukraine with lists of Russian citizens whom Moscow wants returned. She argued that Kyiv’s refusal to accept Russian proposals has become a major obstacle to securing further exchanges.
Russia Says Three Exchange Proposals Were Made in a Month
According to Lantratova, Russia submitted three separate exchange lists during the past month.
She said the proposed lists included ordinary Russian servicemen as well as people convicted in Russia under various criminal statutes.
Lantratova maintained that Moscow remains prepared to conduct exchanges in a range of formats and said its immediate objective is to bring Russian citizens held by Ukraine back home.
Moscow Disputes Kyiv’s Claims
The Russian official was responding to Ukrainian authorities’ publication of lists of people from the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and Crimea whom Kyiv says have been held captive since 2014 and 2022.
According to Lantratova, Ukrainian officials have alleged that Moscow is refusing to include these individuals in exchange arrangements.
She rejected that characterization, arguing that Russia has already made concrete proposals and is prepared to proceed with an exchange.
Russia Offers 224 Ukrainian Citizens for Exchange
Lantratova said Moscow and Kyiv have already agreed on a list of 224 Ukrainian citizens convicted in Russia for various offenses committed on Russian territory.
Russia, she said, is prepared to exchange those individuals as early as the following morning in return for Russian citizens whom Moscow says have been awaiting repatriation since 2014 and 2022.
The Russian ombudsman’s office has published the names of the 224 Ukrainians whom Moscow says it is prepared to include in the proposed exchange.
Moscow Says Ukrainian Citizens Are Being Left Behind
Lantratova accused Kyiv of prioritizing public messaging over completing the proposed exchange.
She argued that Ukrainian citizens who are eligible for return are effectively being denied that opportunity because Ukrainian authorities have not accepted Russia’s proposal.
The Russian official further alleged that Ukrainian authorities are creating expectations among detainees through public appeals while failing to approve an exchange involving them.
Russia Calls for Broader Exchange Arrangements
Moscow said it remains willing to consider multiple formats for future prisoner exchanges rather than limiting negotiations to a single arrangement.
Lantratova said Russia’s priority is securing the release and return of its citizens and reiterated that Moscow is prepared to continue negotiations with the Ukrainian side.
Prisoner Exchanges Remain a Contentious Issue
The latest dispute highlights the continuing difficulties surrounding prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides regularly accusing the other of obstructing agreements or manipulating the issue for political purposes.
Russia’s latest proposal involves 224 Ukrainian citizens whom Moscow says it is prepared to transfer in exchange for Russian citizens. The claims and the circumstances surrounding the proposed exchange have not been independently verified in this report.
The publication of the list adds another layer of pressure on both sides as negotiations over detainees and prisoners continue amid the wider conflict.
