New leader of LPR promised not to disrupt prisoner exchange with Ukraine
The successor of the former head of LPR (Luhansk People’s Republic), Igor Plotnitsky’s, Leonid Pasechnik said that he will not prevent the exchange of prisoners.
"Of course, the resignation of Igor Venediktovich will not impact the exchange of prisoners, the process continues. The leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the People's Militia verified our people who are detained, who are on our territory, and are subject for an exchange. I will be given a list on Monday and will confirm the list. And of course, we are fulfilling the Minsk Agreements, we will exchange in the way it was agreed," Pasechinik said, as quoted on separatist websites.
The exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR/DPR) has been blocked for more than a year. In mid-November, it was reported that a ‘306 by 74’ exchange was being prepared (306 separatists in exchange for 74 Ukrainian prisoners). Russian President Vladimir Putin called the leaders of the LPR and the DPR and they promised to conduct the exchange. Overall, the number of prisoners held by the LPR and the DPR is more than 150 people.
On November 24th, Pasechnik was announced as the new leader of the LPR following Plotnitsky’s resignation.