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27
February
2023

Budanov: About 40% of Ukrainians held captive by Russia are civilians

KYIV. Feb 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Russian Federation has a larger number of prisoners of war, most of whom were captured in the first days of the full-scale invasion, about 40% of the detained persons are civilians, said Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

“Unfortunately, they [the occupiers] have more prisoners of war than we do. This is very simply explained. First of all, they captured 90% of all prisoners of war in the first days. The first days are the first month. Plus the terrible tragedy in Mariupol, when everyone was forced to take the step they took. But there is another, let’s say, side. Not widely known enough. About 40% of those held hostage are civilians. Just civilians,” Budanov said in an interview with Voice of America.

In this regard, as he explained, the number of prisoners of war in Ukraine is less.

“We don’t take civilians prisoner. There are a lot of women, unfortunately, and children, there are all kinds of prefects, postmen, railway workers, mayors, janitors. All are present there,” he said.

Answering the question whether there are those among the detainees that Ukraine does not know about, the head of intelligence said: “Most likely, there is someone, but, believe me, 99% are clear.”