**Ukraine Hands Over 70 Collaborators to Russia in Prisoner Swap**
On May 23, Ukraine released 70 people convicted of collaborating with Russia as part of a prisoner swap. The identities of 31 of them have been made public by the Khochu k svoim (I want to go home) project.
Among those revealed are Oleksandr Tarnashinskyi and Vitalii Vasiliev, both convicted of treason. Tarnashinskyi was a former associate of pro-Kremlin oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and had been involved in anti-Ukrainian activities in the country. He was detained by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in 2022 and sentenced to five years in prison.
Vasiliev, a former SBU officer, collaborated with Russian occupation authorities in Luhansk Oblast before the full-scale invasion. He had intended to recruit other SBU officers to collaborate as well and was found guilty of treason. Both men were among those handed over to Russia as part of the prisoner swap.
**Prisoner Swap Continues**
The prisoner swap, agreed upon in Istanbul last week, continues with each side releasing 307 POWs on May 24. The final exchange is planned for May 25. Ukraine has long advocated for an “all-for-all” exchange, but Russia has so far rejected the proposal.
This latest development highlights the complexities of the conflict and the challenges faced by both sides in finding a resolution. While the prisoner swap may bring some relief to families and individuals affected, it also raises questions about the treatment of collaborators and the impact on Ukraine’s internal security.
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