Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels have exchanged dozens of prisoners of war (PoW).<br /><br />The swap took place on a highway close to the separatist stronghold of Donetsk.<br /><br />Two buses, one carrying Ukraine’s PoWs and another separatists’, arrived at a spot several kilometres north of Donetsk where OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) observers were waiting for them.<br /><br />“We are glad to return to our homes, families finally, after the deal was reached. Though we are still far away it feels like we are home,” said a released Ukrainian prisoner, who refused to give his name.<br /><br />One pro-Russian detainee from Kramatorsk complained of being mistreated by Ukrainian authorities.<br /><br />“How did they treat me? I was lying for a month and a half until my bruises disappeared. What for? I can’t understand. They called me a separatist but I call myself a Donbass citizen. That’s it.”<br /><br />The exchange of all captives is one of the key elements of the ceasefire. The next exchange is expected to take place on Saturday.
