A Nepali, a Slovak and a Brazilian sit in a room in a prisoner-of-war camp and explain that they had never signed up to fight in the Russian army but that they were tricked into doing so. The Ukrainian authorities do not give any official figures for the number of foreign fighters they have captured, but say that these men are a burden they would like to be rid of. In the past year, since they have begun to be captured, not one has been exchanged or gone home.
Lieutenant Vitalii Matvyenko, the spokesman for Ukraine’s Co-ordination Headquarters for the Treatment of PoWs, says that he sees no interest from the authorities in these men’s home countries for taking them back. For the citizens of many, fighting in foreign wars is illegal, and they could face jail if they went home. Asked if Russia was seeking the return of these men, a camp official snorts that there is no chance of that.
Unlock Premium Insights from The Economist
Take your experience further with Mint Premium- access unparalleled insights on important global issues
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Login
Premium benefits
30+ articles from print edition and premium publication daily
Present across social media apps to keep you updated
In-depth Market Reports from leading experts
Most loved Mint podcasts on 35+ topics
Sharp insights supported by simple data and visuals
Unlock 30+ well researched
and bias free premium articles daily
Access to global insights with
100+ exclusive articles from
international publications
Get complimentary access to
3+ investment based apps
TRENDLYNE Get One Month GuruQ plan at Rs 1
FINOLOGY Free finology subscription for 1 month.
SMALLCASE 20% off on all smallcases
5+ subscriber only newsletters
specially curated by the experts
Free access to e-paper and
WhatsApp updates
Not convinced yet?
Share your contact details and
we will get in touch with you…
= 48 && event.charCode Confirm
Thanks for sharing your number