Russia said Thursday, June 30 that it held "
more than 6000
" Ukrainian prisoners of war, confirming also having exchanged the day before 144 Ukrainian fighters against as many Russians and pro-Russian separatists.
Read alsoUkraine: separatists accuse kyiv of bombing civilians with Western cannons
"
The total number of captured or surrendered Ukrainian servicemen is more than six thousand
," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
This number was not immediately verifiable independently.
Igor Konashenkov also confirmed that kyiv and Moscow exchanged 144 prisoners on Wednesday, as announced by the Ukrainian government.
This is the biggest exchange since the start of the Russian offensive at the end of February.
“
Almost all (Russian and pro-Russian fighters) who have been released are injured or seriously injured.
They are already receiving the necessary medical care
,” he said.
