Ukrainian military and separatist representatives exchanged dozens of prisoners under cover of darkness at a remote frontline location, kicking off a process intended to usher in peace to the conflict-ridden east.
One-hundred-and-thirty -nine Ukrainian troops and 52 rebels were exchanged on Saturday, according to a separatist official overseeing the prisoner swap at a no man’s land location near the village of Zholobok, some 20 kilometres west of the rebel-held city luhansk.
A busload of Ukrainian soldiers in military fatigues was transported earlier in the day from the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk to a rural spot some 140 km to the northeast, before joining up with other groups of fellow captives.
After arriving at the location near Zholobok, the troops were made to line up and listen to a speech by a rebel representative, who ordered the men to leave the territory claimed by the separatist movements in the regions of Donetsk and luhansk.