Eastern Ukraine prisoner exchange underway

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — A major exchange of war prisoners is getting underway in eastern Ukraine, with around 370 expected to be released.

The pro-Russia rebels are set to release 150 Ukrainian prisoners in exchange for the Ukrainian government releasing 222 captives.

Russia's Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies are reporting that the exchange is taking place on neutral ground between the sectors controlled by the insurgents and the government forces.

The exchange had been tentatively planned for earlier this week, and the failure to conduct it pushed back another round of Ukraine peace talks in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, which was set for Friday but was adjourned indefinitely.



Ukrainian government army soldiers secure an area near the village of Debaltseve, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec 24, 2014. Peace talks aimed at reaching a stable cease-fire in Ukraine between its government forces and pro-Russian armed groups began on Wednesday in Minsk, Belarus, with the discussions to include a pullout of heavy weapons and an exchange of war prisoners. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141226/eu--ukraine-c1cc793ee8.html

[Demeter]

1. Good news! Always welcome, seldom found, even at Christmastide

[Duckhunter935]

2. Great news

Still looks like Ukraine is doing more than the rebels. The numbers are not even close.

[MattSh]

3. Doing more in what way? n/t

[Duckhunter935]

4. releasing more prisoners

the rebels still hold many and using them as forced labor. The Minsk agreement they signed requires release. They do not abide by signed agreements though. That is why they are shelling the airport again.