Belarusian journalist Ina Kardash accused of espionage may be included in prisoner swap

Ukraine is negotiating with Russia over the release from captivity of 28 Ukrainian journalists. This was announced by the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada's Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets.

"Yes, we are negotiating. For different categories of hostages, including a separate list of journalists and representatives of the journalistic community that we are working on," — Radio Svaboda quotes his words.

The head of the Security Service of Ukraine's Joint Centre, Andrii Pasternak, when asked about the possibility of exchanging Belarusian Ina Kardash, who is accused of espionage, stated that this information is "restricted for distribution".

"We need to get a result, to bring everyone back. As for proposals to the Belarusian or Russian side — if we comment on our every step, then what is the point of negotiating? Should we write in all media, magazines and communicate directly through the press?" — he commented.

In turn, Lubinets added that Ukraine is trying to free foreign nationals from Russian captivity — both civilians and military personnel. According to him, such cases have already occurred.

Belarusian journalist Ina Kardash was detained this year on January 21. She is accused of espionage on behalf of the Belarusian State Security Committee. At the time of her detention, the Belarusian woman worked at the Coordination Headquarters on Prisoner of War Affairs of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence.