The closer Easter and a possible POW exchange get, the more actively Russian propaganda spreads disinformation on this topic...

The closer Easter and a possible exchange of prisoners of war get, the more actively Russian propaganda is pushing disinformation on this topic.

The notorious propagandist Anastasia Kashevarova is reposting a planted story from an anonymous Telegram channel that has long been churning out fakes about prisoners. The text is typical clickbait: a wounded orphan is being hidden in “secret basements of Kyiv and... everyone is silent,” while the funniest part is attached below the text: a photo of a Red Cross Message with a letter from that very “hidden” prisoner of war.

Let us explain this joke in simple terms for those who do not understand the POW issue (apparently including Russian propagandists): under the Geneva Conventions, the warring parties are obliged to hold prisoners of war in specially created camps and provide the International Committee of the Red Cross with access to them.

Although Russia in practice ignores the Geneva Conventions and keeps Ukrainian prisoners of war in prisons and penal colonies together with ordinary convicts, while not allowing ICRC observers to see them, Ukraine fulfills its part of the obligations. Camps have been created, and Red Cross representatives regularly and without problems visit Russian prisoners of war.

When ICRC staff come to camps in Ukraine, they speak with prisoners of war one on one, pass on letters from relatives, and give them the opportunity to send a reply through Red Cross Message.

In the propaganda planted story, we see precisely a real letter from prisoner of war Dmitry Shepilo, delivered through the Red Cross. In other words, Russian propaganda screams about a prisoner “hidden in basements,” and then itself posts proof that he is in a POW camp, where ICRC observers calmly come, speak with prisoners of war, and pass their letters to relatives.

At the same time, the propaganda “geniuses” published the prisoner of war’s personal letter and did not even think to blur the personal data and address of his relatives. Well, a gift for scammers.

Now about the prisoners of war themselves, whose stories are being used in these fakes. They are Dmitry Shepilo (20.06.2005) and Vitaly Klimenko (01.09.1987). Both were captured near Kupyansk, which Putin had declared captured back in the autumn. Both took part in a meat-grinder assault with no way back: if wounded, they are not evacuated. Both suffered severe wounds and serious burns. Risking death, Ukrainian soldiers pulled them out under strikes by Russian drones, and Ukrainian medics saved their lives and health.

Just compare how they looked before captivity and afterward. Incidentally, the same applies to another badly burned prisoner of war, Artem Mubarakshin. And now, instead of returning them through an exchange, their stories are being used for propaganda manipulation.

It is important to remember that Russia violated the Istanbul agreements on an indefinite exchange of seriously wounded and sick prisoners of war. Back on 23.07.2025, Medinsky stated that supposedly “all agreements on the humanitarian tracks that were discussed last time have been fulfilled,” making it clear that Russia does not intend to return any more wounded and sick prisoners.

On top of this, Russia also blocked the repatriation mechanism provided for by the Geneva Conventions through mixed medical commissions (MMCs) with the participation of doctors from neutral countries. Ukraine did its part: the MMCs were created back in August 2023 (!). But Russia is simply sabotaging all working mechanisms for returning the wounded and sick.

These are facts. Truth rests on facts. Russian propaganda does not need truth; it needs to hit people’s emotions, which is why they do not talk about the facts: about Istanbul, the MMCs, the International Red Cross. They invent ever more deranged stories, press on emotions, and lie endlessly so that their regime can continue to hold on to power.

➡️ Save your life and surrender: t.me/kak\sdatsya\bot

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