Over a thousand POWs, Ukrainian military and foreign "mercenaries", who had fallen into the hands of Russian forces at Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks[/B] were transferred to Russia to undergo trial, Russia's state news agency TASS reported last Tuesday evening (Reuters photo, above, shows Azovstal prisoners being transferred to Russia).
At least 2,400 prisoners
The foreign "mercenaries" number about a hundred, the agency clarified, saying more POWs are expected to be transferred from Mariupol to Russia soon.
At least 2.400 Ukrainian fighters surrendered to Russia's army in late May, after weeks of fierce fighting at the giant Azovstal steelworks in the port of Mariupol.
Ukrainian political leaders say they are concerned that the prisoners of war may be tortured or even murdered by the Russians.
Moscow claims there are many neo-Nazis among the soldiers and "mercenaries," a claim Kiev and the West deny.
Exchange
[/P]The Ukrainian political leadership wants there to be an exchange of Russian prisoners of war with the fighters who surrendered to Azovstal.
However, some Russian parliamentarians have demanded that at least some of them be brought to trial.
The news could further undermine peace talks between the two warring countries, which were already at a standstill.
Source: APE
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