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Over 230 DPR residents held in Ukrainian captivity, says ombudswoman

It is reported that these were DPR residents captured since the beginning of the special military operation

NOVOAZOVSK /DPR/, October 21. /TASS/. Over 230 servicemen of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) have been held captive in Ukraine since the beginning of the special military operation, DPR Human Rights Envoy Darya Morozova said on Friday.

"As of now, our list includes 233 people who, as we know for sure, are being held in custody in Ukraine," the ombudswoman said, specifying that these were DPR residents captured since the beginning of the special military operation.

The situation along the line of engagement in Donbass escalated on February 17. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) reported the most massive bombardments by the Ukrainian military back then, which damaged civilian infrastructure and caused civilian casualties.

On February 21, President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow was recognizing the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Russia signed agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their leaders. Moscow recognized the Donbass republics in accordance with the DPR and LPR constitutions within the boundaries of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions as of the beginning of 2014.

Russian President Putin announced on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics for assistance he had decided to carry out a special military operation in Ukraine. The DPR and the LPR launched an operation to liberate their territories under Kiev’s control.