Ukraine’s Interior Ministry Leads Talks on Bringing Back POWs and Civilians

Heads of Agencies Meet Under Coordination Staff Council

According to МВС: Led by Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, a high-level meeting of agency heads from the Coordination Staff Council on Prisoner of War Treatment took place at Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Discussions centered on prisoner exchanges, the return of civilians, and involving international organizations to address these challenges.

Oleh Ivashchenko, who chairs the Coordination Staff for POW Treatment, briefed attendees on the body’s work since the start of the year. Since 2022, Ukraine has successfully secured the release of 9,613 citizens. The head of the Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate outlined preparations for upcoming phases to free Ukrainian defenders, servicewomen, and unlawfully detained civilians.

Also present at the session were:

• Deputy Defense Minister Mstyslav Banik,
• Acting Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleh Luhovskyi,
• Acting Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Yevhenii Khmara,
• Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets,
• Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Vereshchuk,
• National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umierov.

Focus on Civilian Return Efforts

Particular emphasis was placed on bringing back civilians held by the aggressor state or deported from temporarily occupied territories into Russia. Ukraine is prioritizing the release of the severely wounded, critically ill, and those who have endured the longest captivity.

Participants also highlighted the need to engage international partners and organizations in responding to violations of Ukrainian POW and civilian rights in captivity. Discussions included granting medical personnel and international humanitarian groups access to sites where Russia detains Ukrainian prisoners. Dmytro Lubinets reported on establishing communication with Russia’s newly appointed human rights commissioner.

The Coordination Staff, with all involved structures, continues working to locate and bring back every individual who has fallen into Kremlin captivity.

This Coordination Staff meeting underscores the critical importance of prisoner exchanges and civilian returns amid the ongoing conflict. Involving international organizations could help improve conditions for Ukrainian POWs and civilians, while raising awareness of their rights and circumstances. The Staff remains a vital component of Ukraine’s efforts to protect its citizens and ensure their safety during wartime.

As Ukraine intensifies its efforts to secure the return of prisoners and civilians, recent developments highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the nation. In a related context, the successful return of 160 prisoners of war, including 115 defenders from Mariupol, exemplifies the commitment to rescuing those in captivity. For more details on this significant achievement and its implications, read about the successful return of Ukrainian defenders.