Vereshchuk: Ukraine handed Russia a list of 100 identified civilian hostages, including about 30 journalists

Illustration by the Institute of Mass Information

Ukraine has compiled a list of 100 identified civilian hostages, including about 30 journalists. The document has been handed over to Russia through the International Committee of the Red Cross so that Russia could let them go home as soon as possible, ZMINA quotes Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Iryna Vereshchuk as saying.

The official says that Ukraine managed to verify and identify the journalists unlawfully detained in Russia. However, Russia refuses to release them in an attempt to exacerbate the relatives' dissatisfaction and prompt them to pressure the Ukrainian authorities.

“We realize all this very well and thank the families very much for their patience. That you are not succumbing to Russian pressure. We did everything that was up to Ukraine to do. We made a request, we compiled the lists, we contacted the Russian side through the Central Tracing Agency (of the ICRC. – Ed.). We demand their release, and the lists are there. Now, as the talks are underway, we have updated these lists again and handed them over again,” Vereshchuk said.

She added that international organizations, including journalist ones, must be involved in bringing civilian prisoners back to their homeland.

According to the Institute of Mass Information, at least 30 Ukrainian civilians working in journalism are in Russian detention.