Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner Lubinets reveals struggles in prisoner exchanges with Russia

Lubinets noted that responses from his Russian counterpart, Tatiana Moskalkova, are rare when he sends requests for information, which often originate from relatives of prisoners.

“When I need to propose something new, send a letter I received from relatives, or simply assist in locating someone - just to at least know if they are alive - I have no problem sending this information,” said Lubinets.

“My issue is with the outcome: approximately 90% of our requests go unanswered. Occasionally, there are positive developments when we do receive information. We have even managed to find someone who was presumed dead - there are such cases.”

Only a “bare calculation” prompts the Russian side to respond, and there have never been any gestures of goodwill.

“It's only because they asked us something, and we asked them in return,” he said.

“Sometimes this works. I say: 'Fine, I'm ready to respond, give me this information.' So, it's mutual calculation. I always emphasize that they do nothing for us. They only do what will get them something in return from us.”

Russians initiated a pause in the exchange of war prisoners, attempting to use their relatives against Ukraine.

“It's a system,” Lubinets explained.

“First, they blocked exchanges without any explanation. Then we started to record numerous appeals from the Russian side to the relatives of our war prisoners, claiming they are ready to 'release your relatives, but Ukraine doesn't want to take them back,' urging them to demand the Ukrainian government unblock the process. This way, they force them to engage in protest actions, block roads, and administrative buildings. This sort of social and political tension will definitely benefit the aggressor.”

New protocols were introduced at the end of November, with Lubinets and Moskalkova providing short videos showing that prisoners of war on both sides were alive.  

There were also exchanges of warm clothing for POWs in December was, but there was never any confirmation that Ukrainian prisoners received these items.