Civilian Bohdan Kovalchuk has been introduced again to Ukraine because of one other prisoner trade with Russia. He had been held in captivity since 2016, when Russian forces detained him on the age of 17.

Supply: Hromadske, a Ukrainian public broadcaster

Particulars: Bohdan's grandmother, Tetiana Hots, mentioned she had already spoken to him on the cellphone and was now travelling to see him for the primary time since his imprisonment. "Grandma, I’m coming residence," Bohdan advised her.

Bohdan was amongst a number of youngsters detained in August 2016 within the territory of the so-called Donetsk Folks’s Republic (DPR), in accordance with the Media Initiative for Human Rights. On the time, he lived within the metropolis of Yasynuvata along with his mom, grandmother and great-grandfather and was planning to maneuver to Toretsk to review as an auto mechanic.

His grandmother mentioned Bohdan was in Yasynuvata to gather paperwork for enrolment in a university when he and different youths have been detained whereas leaving the occupied city. They have been accused of being recruited by Ukraine’s Safety Service (SSU) to explode a railway junction in Yasynuvata. He was labelled the "chief of a gang" and sentenced to 10 years in jail.

A few of the youngsters have been later pardoned, reportedly on the situation that they refuse prisoner trade and stay within the DPR. Bohdan declined the pardon and served his sentence in Toretsk Penal Colony No. 28.

Tetiana Hots mentioned her grandson by no means complained, telling her: "I can endure every thing; don’t fear".

In January 2022, the Workplace of the Human Rights Commissioner reported that Bohdan had severe lung issues and wanted common medical supervision, which was unavailable within the colony.

Background: On 14 August, Ukraine secured the discharge of 84 civilians and troopers from Russian captivity, together with individuals held since 2014 and defenders of Mariupol.

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