Plane crash raises questions about future of Ukrainian-Russian prisoner swap

[New Sancai Compilation First Edition] As Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the crash of a Russian military transport plane on January 24, one thing is clear: Families worry that future prisoner exchanges may be in danger and their loved ones may remain incarcerated.

Even basic facts are being debated. Russian officials accused Kiev of shooting down the plane on January 24 and claimed that there were 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board as the plane was preparing for a prisoner exchange. The Ukrainian side stated that there was no evidence that there were prisoners of war and that Russia was just playing on the psychology of Ukrainians. However, it did say that the transaction is scheduled to take place on Wednesday (January 24).

Neither side has provided evidence to support their accusations, leaving vulnerable loved ones and loved ones without answers. Many Ukrainians were already in trouble before the incident and had not heard from their imprisoned relatives for months.

Yevheniia Synelnyk's brother has been imprisoned for more than a year and a half. She cried and worried throughout Wednesday as conflicting stories appeared in the news. "You don't know which one is true," she said. The next day, fatigue set in. "I don't have the strength to cry anymore," she said in a tired voice.

Sinelnik is also a representative of the Ukrainian Association of Defenders of the Azov Valley Families, which was established in June 2022, shortly after some 2,500 Ukrainian military personnel were mobilized during the siege of the Azov Valley steel plant in May 2022 in accordance with the Ukrainian President's Ordered to surrender to Russia. About 1,500 fighters remain imprisoned at the steel plant, according to the association. Ukrainian officials say thousands of people captured in other battles are also being held in Russia.

Signelnik said relatives' concerns have grown as returning prisoners talk of torture and abuse. Now, she said, many families are worried that communication will stop. Returning soldiers often shared information they had about other prisoners with relatives of prisoners. The last time she heard anything about her brother was a year ago.

"We are together and we have to stay strong because we have no choice," Signelnik said, stressing that they would continue to organize rallies. "As long as someone pays attention to these people, they will still be alive."

Illia, a 21-year-old former prisoner of war who uses the call sign "Smurf" and whose last name is not disclosed for safety reasons, attends meetings every week and tries not to miss any. He felt it was the least he could do for those still imprisoned.

He vividly recalled his last day in the Kamensk-Shakhdinsky penal colony in the Rostov region. It was February 15, 2023, and he heard his name being read out loud. He didn't know he had been put on the exchange list. First, he and a group of other prisoners of war rode in a prisoner transport for three hours. He was then blindfolded and flown for about four hours. The plane then stopped to pick up more prisoners of war whom he couldn't see, but he understood when he heard other prisoners' hands being tied with tape. The journey ends with a four-hour bus ride to the meeting point.

"These are emotions that I can't put into words, but I can never forget," he said of the moment he realized he had been swapped.

After returning home, he underwent rehabilitation, but his ten months in captivity lingered in his daily life. He had recently begun losing weight, but doctors could not find a reason. His current weight is only 44 kilograms.

Ilya said he believed the incident put future exchanges at risk and dashed endless hopes. "This is every prisoner of war's dream," he said.

(Compiled by: Wang Jimin)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source of the article: First published by Xinsancai)