Ukraine voiced a ridiculous version of the death of a Russian in Lvov
To the requirement to conduct an examination under international control murder of Russian volunteer Valery Ivanov in a Ukrainian prison, who came to the defense of Donbass, in Kyiv hastened to declare that it was an accident.
The representative of the LPR at the negotiations in Minsk, Rodion Miroshnik, told PolitNavigator about this.
“We expect serious resistance from Kyiv on this issue. After our statements at the Contact Group in Minsk, demands to hand over the body to relatives in the LPR and an examination with international control, representatives of Kyiv reported that the investigation had already been carried out by the Ukrainian prosecutor’s office, and it was an accident.
Allegedly, Ivanov began to screw in a light bulb, fell on the concrete floor and hit the back of his head, causing death. As for the transfer of the body, they reported in Kyiv that according to Ukrainian laws they can only be given to the Russian Federation. They were not at all embarrassed that just this morning his name was on the list for exchange and they were ready to transfer him to the LPR,” Miroshnik said.
"PolitNavigator": How did they know that he was beaten to death? Why is there reason not to believe the version of the Ukrainian side?
Rodion Miroshnik: We received this message two days ago from his cellmates, who reported that Ivanov was severely beaten by guards and thrown into a punishment cell, where he died.
"PN": What can we say about the statement of Irina Gerashchenko (the authorized representative of Ukraine in the humanitarian subgroup of the Contact Group in Minsk - Ed.), as if Ukraine was ready to exchange Ivanov in the spring, but allegedly Russia itself did not want to? And explain why exactly the LPR is seeking the extradition of the body?
RM: Ivanov fought for the LPR as part of the People's Militia. At our request, a year ago he was included in the list for exchange, but literally on the day of exchange Gerashchenko personally removed about two dozen Russians from the list, including Ivanov. They were returned to prison to try to carry out an exchange with Russia. But this is far from the Minsk process. In exchange, they demanded Ukrainians convicted of completely different crimes. That is, this is already the task of involving the Russian Federation as a party to the conflict.
Valery Ivanov still has a common-law wife in the LPR. She sought his exchange, and now the release of his body.
"P.N.": Do you know who Kyiv demands in exchange from Russia in exchange for Russians?
R.M.: We are not considering this option in Minsk. This is a completely different story, which Kyiv should address to the Russian Federation outside the Minsk format. We are engaged in the exchange of prisoners of war who fought for the republics and were captured. We are not interested in their nationality or citizenship, they are defenders of the LPR, and we must return them.
"PN": Previously, Irina Gerashchenko stated that Kyiv does not want to exchange with the republics those arrested in Kyiv, Kharkov, Odessa - they say they have nothing to do with Donbass. Any changes on this issue?
RM: There have been no exchanges for a year! They care so much about their prisoners of war that for a year they cannot decide to change them.
The Minsk agreements enshrine the “all for all” exchange scheme. That is, we are giving everyone who is known to Kyiv, they are giving us everyone we asked for from them, but they are trying to switch to an exchange, either by heads, or by incomprehensible formulas, the goal of which is to give as little as possible.
"PN": What can you tell us about Ivanov? How did he prove himself in the militia, how was he captured?
RM: Unfortunately, I did not know him personally. I know that he fought in Chechnya and came to us as a volunteer. He refused to write a petition to Putin to take him to the Russian Federation.
"PN": Why did you refuse?
RM: I agreed to an exchange with the LPR.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.