Russian propagandists are spreading a statement by Russian Foreign Ministry press secretary Mariia Zakharova about the readiness to exchange 630 Ukrainian prisoners, accusing Kyiv of “selfish interests”. However, in reality, this is another example of manipulation.

The Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security writes about this. Its experts remind us that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long proposed the principle of exchanging “all for all” without additional conditions. Russia, however, continues to hold more than 900 Ukrainian prisoners, including Azov fighters, whom it refuses to hand over.

Such statements are an instrument of blackmail and attempts to destabilize Ukrainian society. The topic of prisoners has been used by the Kremlin to exert pressure since the beginning of the war. By accusing Ukraine of “selfish interests”, propagandists are trying to create an image of “inhumane” Ukrainian authorities that do not seem to care about their citizens. The spread of such fakes is aimed at increasing tension and despondency among Ukrainians. Because of the topic of prisoners, Russia is trying to put pressure on Ukraine and the international community, positioning itself as the “humane side”.