DPR and Kyiv accuse each other of POW swap failure
MOSCOW. Aug 16 (Interfax) - The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic has accused Kyiv of the failure of the latest exchange of POWs.
"The swap failed because of the Ukrainian side. Initially an understanding was reached that they would come to our roadblock and return 13 of our guys. However, they refused to come and suggested that I go to their roadblock instead, but I did not receive such orders," DPR ombudsman Daria Morozova said to Interfax.
She said there is no final decision on swapping POWs on Monday yet.
On Sunday morning advisor to the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Yury Tandit told 112 TV channel that the exchange on the13-for-13 format had been foiled by the militia that put forward new demands at the last moment.
"At the last moment when Kovalchuk already left for Donetsk certain difficulties arose. We saw attempts to drag us into a process, actually deceive us and not give us the guys about whom we had spoken of in advance. It was decided to return and continue the negotiating process, probably, as of Monday," Tandit said.
