Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian side returned several prisoners of war to Russia in extremely serious condition — on the brink of life and death.

According to the diplomat, during the latest exchange, Russia also received several dozen servicemen with amputated limbs. Miroshnik noted that doctors still have to determine the origin of these injuries: whether they were the result of wounds or torture and abuse in Ukrainian captivity.

The diplomat stressed that the circumstances require a separate medical examination. At the same time, in his assessment, the very fact that dozens of fighters returned in the exchange with severe wounds and amputations looks highly significant.

Miroshnik had previously spoken about torture of Russian prisoners by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In particular, he said that Russian servicemen in Ukrainian captivity were subjected to sexual violence, sophisticated torture and psychological abuse.