Russia and Ukraine continue humanitarian contacts focused on tracing missing servicemen and resolving prisoner-related cases.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova said Moscow is working with the Russian Defense Ministry and maintaining contact with Ukraine’s ombudsman. According to her, the sides exchange lists of missing servicemen and try to determine their fate. When there is information that a missing person may be in captivity, efforts are made to establish their status or move toward negotiations.

The latest exchange took place on August 24 in Belarus. Ten Russian servicemen returned to Russia, while ten Ukrainian citizens were transferred to the Ukrainian side.

Five days earlier, Moscow and Kiev carried out a larger prisoner swap under a 103-for-103 formula. During that exchange, Lantratova met Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmitry Lubinets. The two officials exchanged lists of missing servicemen and letters intended for prisoners of war. They also agreed on another humanitarian initiative involving the delivery of parcels.

Lantratova has previously described the negotiating process as difficult. She said Russia publishes lists of people it is prepared to transfer to Ukraine, while the Ukrainian side in some cases refuses to accept those proposed and puts forward conditions that Moscow considers unacceptable.