The leaders of the so-called ‘Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics’ have announced that they will release four Ukrainians held prisoner, with this presented as being in response to a request from Viktor Medvedchuk. It has long been assumed that a hostage release might be arranged in advance of Ukraine’s parliamentary elections as a boost to Medvedchuk, a highly controversial Ukrainian politician and friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The release is, however, frustratingly limited with Russia evidently still intent on holding on to most of its Ukrainian military and civilian hostages held by the proxy ‘republics’.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
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Halya Coynash: Russia-led forces to release 4 hostages as election boost for Medvedchuk
Viktor Medvedchuk gives an interview to three pro-Russian channels – Inter, Channel 112, and News One. The latter two are officially owned by Medvedchuk's close ally Taras Kozak. (Channel 112)
