Many Ukrainian prisoners of war want to stay in Russia – ombudswoman

Many Ukrainian prisoners of war do not want to be swapped and return to Ukraine because of the fear to be sued for yielding themselves prisoner and be sent back to the frontline, Darya Morozova, human rights ombudswoman of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), said on Sunday.

"Many of Ukrainian prisoners want to stay in Russia because they understand that as soon as they return to Ukraine under a swap deal, they may face criminal cases for being taken prisoner and will, with 100% certainty, be sent to the combat engagement line. They don’t want to fight, they want to live a peaceful life, even if they don’t see their families for long time. They are ready to stay here, not to go to war," she said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel.

The Ukrainian government said earlier that around 35,000 Ukrainian soldiers are being help in captivity in Russia.[TASS]