Intelligence explained why there were no 'Azov' fighters among the released prisoners.

The situation with the exchange of prisoners according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense

A representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense explained that during the prisoner exchange in the format of 'one thousand for one thousand', Russia independently decided whom it was willing to release, and there were no fighters from the 12th special forces brigade of the 'Azov' National Guard among those released. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, this was an initiative on Russia's part.

Commander of the 'Azov' National Corps Denis Prokopenko expressed his outrage that the brigade's fighters were not included in the exchange process, calling it 'mockery'. He believes that the reasons for the absence of 'Azov' soldiers on the list may be different than just Russia's unwillingness to release them.

The third stage of the prisoner exchange following the '1000 for 1000' formula was successfully completed, and 303 Ukrainian servicemen returned home. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that this stage of the exchange was successfully concluded. Among those released are 70 defenders of Mariupol, including 33 heroic defenders from the 'Azov' battalion.