{"id":1473,"date":"2025-05-30T09:25:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T13:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/eetn\/?p=1473"},"modified":"2025-06-02T03:05:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T07:05:36","slug":"the-politics-of-prisoner-exchange-azovstal-defenders-and-the-limits-of-international-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/eetn\/2025\/the-politics-of-prisoner-exchange-azovstal-defenders-and-the-limits-of-international-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"The Politics of Prisoner Exchange: Azovstal Defenders and the Limits of International Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n The Politics of Prisoner Exchange: Azovstal Defenders and the Limits of International Protection \n <\/h1>\n \n \n \n\n

By: Valeriia Gusieva<\/p>\n\n\n <\/header>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

On May 25th, a major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia concluded<\/a>, resulting in the return of 1,000 Ukrainians over a three-day exchange. This swap was part of ongoing \u201cpeace talks\u201d held in Istanbul between Ukrainian and Russian representatives. The names of the released prisoners were not publicly disclosed<\/a>, prompting many Ukrainian families to gather at reception points with photos of their missing loved ones, hoping someone might have seen them in Russian captivity. For many, it was a chance to learn whether relatives listed as missing in action were still alive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the exchange was bittersweet for some Ukrainian families. Notably, no members of the Azov Battalion were among the released, drawing<\/a> strong criticism from Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko (callsign \u201cRedis\u201d), commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade \u201cAzov.\u201d Russian authorities classify the Azov Battalion as a terrorist organization and frequently deny its members POW status, subjecting them to especially cruel and inhumane treatment. The issue of Ukrainian POWs has also been subject to manipulation in Russian media. For a detailed analysis, please refer to our previous foreign media scan: Propaganda and Prisoners: Russian Media Narratives on Ukrainian POWs \u2013 Foreign Media Scan<\/a>. This media scan explores the political dynamics and public discourse surrounding the prisoner exchange process, particularly the exclusion of Azovstal defenders and the broader implications for international humanitarian protections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Background: Azovstal and the Humanitarian Evacuation<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From May 16 to 20, 2022, Ukrainian defenders were \u201cevacuated\u201d from the Azovstal steel plant with support from the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Ukrainian leaders deliberately used<\/a> the term \u201cevacuation\u201d rather than \u201csurrender.\u201d However, there was no formal, legally binding guarantee from either the UN or ICRC assuring the fighters’ return within a specific timeframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"soldier
Photo: Personal Archive Dmytro Kozatskyi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After nearly two months of unrelenting bombardment, surrounded and outnumbered, the defenders were ordered to lay down arms. The battle for Azovstal<\/a> is now seen as one of the most pivotal of the war, a last stand that bought time for Ukraine\u2019s Armed Forces to regroup and for international support to arrive. An estimated 2,000\u20132,500 personnel were present in the plant during the final siege, including around 600\u2013900 members of the Azov Regiment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"soldiers
Photo: Personal Archive Dmytro Kozatskyi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On May 20, 2025, marking the third anniversary of the Mariupol siege, Prokopenko posted<\/a> on X: <\/p>\n\n\n\n