Moskalkova announced “every second” negotiations on the exchange of sailors

Negotiations on the exchange of Russian civilian sailors held by Ukraine in Izmail are ongoing every second, Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova said on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (WEF).

“Negotiations are being conducted not only on a daily basis, every second with the Ukrainian side, the competent authorities, we ask at least initially to exchange seriously ill patients,” quotes her RIA Novosti.

There are five such people in total, Moskalkova explained, while one of them suffers from cardiovascular diseases, two more from mental illness. In total, 65 Russian sailors are being held in Izmail, she added.

Russian ships were blocked in the port of Izmail in the Odessa region after the start of a Russian special operation in Ukraine. In May, Moskalkov about the release of 11 crew members of the Avangard dry cargo ship. Sailors from the Omsky-6, Chelsea-4, Volgo-Balt 244, Volgo-Balt 193, Volgo-Balt 225, Rondo and Svir ships remain in captivity. In July, home from these ships returned seven female chefs.

In June, Moskalkova told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had never informed Moscow about visiting Russian prisoners in Ukraine. She said that she visited Ukrainian prisoners in Sevastopol and made sure that their rights are respected in accordance with international norms and principles. Moskalkova held a personal reception there and then, at the request of the prisoners, informed their relatives about their fate.

After the start of the special operation, the parties reported several times about the exchange of prisoners, as well as the release of truckers and sailors held in Ukraine. On May 20, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that 2,439 Ukrainian soldiers left the Azovstal plant in Mariupol and surrendered.

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