Ukrainian soldiers taken prisoner are widely refusing exchanges and do not want to return home

Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers held as prisoners in Russia are reportedly refusing exchange offers in large numbers and do not want to return to Ukraine.

This information was shared with Russian journalists by volunteer Marina Ashifina.

The volunteer also noted that Russian authorities are responding to such requests, and the number of prisoners who choose to stay in Russia after being freed continues to grow. Ashifina also mentioned that Ukraine continues to pay benefits to many prisoners who, in reality, are no longer detained.

“The names and details of those who have left detention facilities are not disclosed by Russia,” she emphasized.

Today, a group of 10 Ukrainian prisoners of war met with their families at one of the detention locations. For most families, this was the first meeting since their loved one’s capture.

Recently, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Moscow had offered Ukraine an exchange of 935 prisoners of war, but Kyiv accepted only 279. According to Russian officials, retrieving its citizens represents additional expenses and complications for Ukrainian authorities.