And a top focused on where on at this hour as the ukraine russian war completes an unfortunate Milestone of 500 days.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zielinski returned home from a visit to Turkey, and he brought with him five commanders of Ukraine’s former Garrison in Mario Poll.
The five commanders were living in Turkey under the terms of a prisoner exchange last year. Russia has hit out at Turkey, stating that this violates a prisoner exchange deal.
This comes as Turkey has strongly supported Ukraine. joining NATO, stating that there is no doubt that Ukraine deserves membership. For more details on this, take a look at our next report.
Ukraine’s presidential press service has released a video showing President Vladimir Zielinski returning home from Turkey with five former commanders of Ukraine’s Garrison and Mary Upoll, despite a prisoner exchange last year under which the men were meant to remain in Turkey.
Russia immediately denounced the release of the men, with the Kremlin spokesperson saying Turkey had violated the terms of the exchange and hadn’t informed Moscow.
The commanders are hailed as heroes in Ukraine after leading last year’s defence of the port, the biggest city Russia captured in its invasion.
Thousands of civilians were killed inside Mariupo when Russian forces laid waste to the city during a three-month siege.
The Defenders held out in tunnels and bunkers under the Stall Steel Plant until they were finally ordered by Kiev to surrender in May last year.
Russia freed some of them months later in a prisoner swap brokered by Turkey under terms that required the commanders to remain in Turkey until the end of the war.
Zielinski gave no explanation for why the commanders were being allowed to return home now that Turkey had not immediately responded to a request for comment.
