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On Wednesday, Russia released 215 Ukrainians and foreign nationals as part of a prisoner swap.
Among them are officers of the Azov regiment who were captured in Mariupol.
This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In return, Kyiv released pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, an ally of Vladimir Putin.
In addition, 55 Russian soldiers were released.
The exchange of prisoners was mediated by Turkey, but has not yet been confirmed by the Russian side.
In a video address to the United Nations, Zelenskyi made clear demands regarding Russian war crimes.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine: »This is the first point of our peace formula, a comprehensive point: punishment. Punishment for the crime of aggression. punishment for violation of borders and territorial integrity; a penalty that must apply until the internationally recognized border is restored. Until the aggression ceases and until the damage and casualties of the war are fully recovered.”
Zelenskyj also demanded the establishment of a special tribunal
,
a compensation fund
for Ukraine and withdrawal
of Russia's right to veto the UN Security Council.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine: »You talk about talks, but announce a military mobilization. They talk about talks, but announce pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The further Russian terror spreads, the less likely it becomes that anyone in the world will be willing to sit down with him.”
Meanwhile, residents of Russian-controlled Lysychansk in Ukraine's Luhansk region hope things will improve after a planned referendum on annexation.
Russia regards the occupied regions of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent "people's republics".
The pseudo-referendums are scheduled to take place between September 23 and 27.