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Ukraine obstructs repatriation of its own servicemen — LPR ombudsman

According to Viktoria Serdyukova, LPR takes all measures to bring home Ukrainian servicemen who committed no war crimes against Donbass civilians

LUGANSK, May 20. /TASS/. The Ukrainian side refuses to cooperate with Lugansk People’s Republic and assist in return of Ukrainian servicemen who laid down their weapons home, LPR human rights ombudsman Viktoria Serdyukova told TASS Friday.

"The Ukrainian side is blocking this issue in every way possible - it does not engage in negotiations with us and by doing so not only obstructs return of our servicemen home, but also displays ignorance to the people who protect their homeland - Ukraine," Serdyukova said.

According to the ombudsman, LPR takes all measures to bring home Ukrainian servicemen who committed no war crimes against Donbass civilians.

Serdyukova noted that, since the beginning of the special military operation, over 700 Ukrainian servicemen voluntarily surrendered and crossed over to LPR. She informed that their accommodation conditions comply with all norms of international humanitarian law: they are being provided with food and medical aid, if necessary.

"I visited them several times, met with them, had personal meetings with these servicemen. We were even allowed to have communication devices and contact their relatives currently living in Ukraine. They said hi, told about their good, fair condition. I would like to point out that there were no complains. Their only plea is prompt repatriation," Serdyukova said.