Ombudsperson says 421 Ukrainians unlawfully held in Russia, occupied areas

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Armed men, wearing black and orange ribbons of St. George - a symbol widely associated with pro-Russian protests in Ukraine, drive an armoured personnel carrier in Slaviansk April 18, 2014. The self-declared leader of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, Denis Pushilin, on Friday said that he did not consider his men to be bound by an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to disarm and vacate occupied buildings. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY)

In Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, 421 Ukrainian citizens are being unlawfully held at the moment.

That’s according to Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Liudmyla Denisova, Ukrinform reports citing her Telegram post of September 7, exactly two years after a major swap of held persons with Russia.

“It is a great pleasure to receive phone calls and flowers today from Ukrainian Navy POWs and political prisoners released from Russian captivity two years ago, as well as their families,” Denisova wrote.

“Children born, career growth, new hobbies. Life goes on!” the ombudsperson emphasized.

However, she stressed, “we remember that 421 citizens of Ukraine, who are being illegally held in Russia and in the territories of the temporarily occupied Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, are waiting to be released as soon as possible.”

Denisova assured: “We will make every effort to bring you home!”