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Today’s prisoner exchange announced by Kiev not coordinated with DPR — defense ministry

According to DPR intelligence, Ukrainian forces capture civilians in Artyomovsk and Slaviansk to exchange them as prisoners
Ukrainian prisoners held in Debaltsevo under escort of DPR militiaman Alexander Khudotyoply/TASS
Ukrainian prisoners held in Debaltsevo under escort of DPR militiaman
© Alexander Khudotyoply/TASS

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Today’s prisoner exchange announced by Kiev has not been coordinated with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) yet, DPR defense ministry spokesman Eduard Basurin told a briefing on Friday.

"According to our sources, the Ukrainian side has announced prisoner exchange for today. However, the Ukrainian side has not coordinated this exchange with us," Basurin said. 

"We consider the exchange announced for today to be a provocation to later accuse DPR of violating the Minsk agreements," he stressed.

" According to DPR intelligence, Ukraine Security Service captures civilians in Artyomovsk and Slaviansk to exchange them as prisoners ," the spokesman said.

"Today, in the framework of monitoring activities in Debaltsevo, 17 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered as prisoners and laid down their arms," Basurin noted. "All Ukrainian servicemen who voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered as prisoners will be handed to [Kiev’s special representative for humanitarian issues Viktor] Medvedchuk," he added, noting "the positive role the Ukrainian politician played in facilitating constructive dialogue on settlements of the situation in Donbas by peaceful means."

"We confirm readiness to continue implementing the Minsk agreements," Basurin added.