More than 1,000 Ukrainian
soldiers who surrendered in the city of Mariupol have been transferred to
Russia for investigation, Tass news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a
Russian law enforcement source.
If confirmed, the news could
undermine already troubled peace talks between the two sides.
Kyiv is seeking the handover
of all the estimated 2,000 defenders from the Azovstal plant in a prisoner
swap, but Russian lawmakers have demanded that some of the soldiers be put on
trial.
“More than 1000 people from
Azovstal were brought to Russia. Law enforcement organs are working with them
closely,” Tass quoted the source as saying. It did not give details about
what might happen next.
The source also told Tass than
later on, more Ukrainian prisoners would be sent to Russia.
