Ukraine reports 16% of POWs are citizens as russia forcibly drafts Ukrainians in occupied areas

About 16% of Ukrainians currently held as prisoners of war are citizens of Ukraine, with 6% from Crimea, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Dmytro Usov, brigadier general and secretary of the headquarters, shared the figures during the third international Crimea Global conference.

“Sixteen percent of those currently in our captivity are Ukrainian citizens. Six percent of them are Crimeans. This is a significant number. These are our people. And as a state, we must make the right decisions when russia requests their exchange, because it is unclear what it means when a citizen of Ukraine is exchanged for another citizen of Ukraine.”

A bill under consideration in the Verkhovna Rada would allow Ukrainian citizens held as prisoners of war in Ukraine to be released, remain in the country, and resume their duties.

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