Belarus has released jailed opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and transferred 114 civilian detainees to Ukraine in a coordinated operation involving the United States, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday, December 13.
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed the civilians were handed over after negotiations requested by Ukraine and mediated by U.S. partners, noting that the detainees had been held in Belarus, including several Ukrainian nationals. The transfer followed prior agreements with the Belarusian side, with Ukrainian intelligence services and the Coordination Headquarters playing a central role in the process.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation was prepared by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency and carried out in close cooperation with the United States, with assistance from neighbouring European security services when needed. He said around 100 people were freed, including five Ukrainians, emphasizing that international intelligence cooperation was key to securing their release. Ukrainian officials added that the youngest Ukrainian civilian released is 25 years old and that detainees had been accused of cooperating with Ukrainian security services.
In addition to Ukrainians, several Belarusian citizens imprisoned on political grounds were released, including Maria Kolesnikova, Viktor Babariko, and journalist Marina Zolotova, who are expected to travel to Poland or Lithuania after receiving medical care. Ukrainian authorities said all released individuals will receive medical assistance and that efforts are ongoing to free remaining Ukrainians held in Belarus and Russia.
Mari(Photo by Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War/Telegram)
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