Ivan Tertel. An archive photo
MINSK, 22 June (BelTA) – A total of 38 prisoner swaps were carried out between Russia and Ukraine with the assistance of Belarus, Chairman of the State Security Committee of Belarus (KGB) Ivan Tertel told the media, BelTA has learned.
“As far as I remember, exchange operations began on 21 September 2022, the first operation was carried out then. Since then, we have assisted 38 operations, which resulted in exchanges of prisoners of war, civilians, children on both sides. Families were reunited. Unfortunately, there were also exchange of bodies of the fallen soldiers,” Ivan Tertel said.
There are also exchanges of seriously injured people, some of whom receive treatment in Belarus. Both Russia and Ukraine expressed gratitude to Belarus for this, the KGB head stressed.
According to Ivan Tertel, all exchange events take place on the order of the Belarusian head of state. The KGB deals with organizational issues, coordinates interaction with other structures of Belarus. A number of principles were outlined as soon as Aleksandr Lukashenko defined approaches in the area.
The first principle is that there are no strangers for Belarus among those who take part in exchange operations. The second one is a clear understanding of the tragedy, the suffering of people, families, children, the elderly and women.
The third principle is that all requests the parties make to Belarus as the organizer of the process must be fulfilled.
The fourth is to create the most favorable conditions. Therefore, the head of state made a number of decisions that significantly simplified the exchange procedure.
“I must say that this is very hard work, including for the participants of these operations on Belarus’ part. First of all, it is difficult psychologically, when it comes to the exchange of bodies. It is difficult physically, when these operations need to be performed round the clock,” the KGB chairman said.
He placed special emphasis on the wounded. Sometimes they come literally at death, and it is the matter of time to provide immediate medical care. “We are doing everything necessary to keep a person alive. We use the full potential of our medical system. None of the injured people died. Many wounded remain for further treatment in our country until they can be transported. Border hospitals, and also other hospitals, are full with this contingent,” the KGB chairman revealed details of the process. “In conditions when it is necessary to save their lives immediately, our doctors always work at the highest professional level, regardless of personal time, load, or any other circumstances.
“All the parties involved, both Russian and Ukrainian, are grateful to our president, who controls this process almost on a daily basis. They are grateful to Belarus for its assistance. This process involves not only KGB officers, but also doctors, employees of the Emergencies Ministry, representatives of local administrations. Even representatives of many enterprises that provide transport, assist with the delivery of food, equip infrastructure. The railway has been recently launched. It is a huge amount of work,” Ivan Tertel stressed.
Despite the conflict still in a hot phase, the process of exchange operations continues, which is part of Belarus’ contribution to the de-escalation of the situation and the search for mutual understanding.
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