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Ukraine Secures Release of 95, Including Activist and Soldier Maksym Butkevych, in Swap with Russia

Oct 19, 2024, 03:59 AM

Ukrainian human rights activist, journalist, and soldier Maksym Butkevych has been released from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. The swap saw 95 Ukrainian defenders returning home, including 28 who were illegally sentenced by Russian courts to lengthy prison terms. Butkevych, a Kyiv Mohyla fellow who specializes in protecting refugee rights, was captured in June 2022. He said he was unaware of the exchange until shortly before it occurred, learning about it by accident during the journey. He is a co-founder of the human rights center ZMINA and a recipient of the 2023 Anne Frank Award. His release has been confirmed by his father and welcomed by colleagues and supporters.