Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said Thursday that Ukraine has been selective in deciding which prisoners of war are returned during exchanges with Russia. The statement adds a new point of friction to one of the few continuing channels of contact between the two sides during the war.
Prisoner swaps have remained a sensitive and closely watched issue since fighting sharply escalated in 2022. Exchanges are often treated as humanitarian measures, but the process is also shaped by military and political considerations, with only limited details typically released publicly.
Lantratova's comments reflect the Russian position on how these exchanges are being handled. Based on the available report, no detailed evidence was provided in the brief account, and there was no response included from Ukrainian officials.
The return of captured service members remains a major concern for families and authorities in both countries. As long as the conflict continues, prisoner exchanges are likely to remain an important but disputed part of broader negotiations and humanitarian efforts.
