Russia may use Ukrainian sailors in prisoner swap

Russia may return 24 Ukrainian navy sailors captured by Moscow in waters off Crimea under a prisoner swap deal with Kiev this year,Izvestiatoday citing senior Russian diplomatic sources.

The sailors are likely to be released before trial, as Ukraine is also holding several Russian citizens, the source said. The sailors on the three Ukrainian warships captured by Russia consider themselves prisoners of war, but Russian prosecutors have denied this, saying they are ordinary prisoners awaiting trial for criminal violations.

On November 25, the Russian Coast Guard opened fire and captured three warships carrying 24 Ukrainian soldiers and naval officers in the Kerch Strait, accusing them of violating territorial waters and dangerous actions. They were then brought to court and brought to Moscow to await trial.

Ukraine has denied the allegations, claiming that the three warships were operating in accordance with international law and demanding that Russia return the crew and equipment. The United States and the European Union have also called on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release the captured Ukrainian sailors and ensure safe and free passage through the strait.