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"I want to thank the OSCE SMM because they admitted very honestly and fairly that the eight thugs, who were detained by the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Shyrokine are no demining engineers. They seem to be snipers," said Gerashchenko.

"I believe… they are snipers who were not doing mine clearance but rather tried to engage in subversive activity. But I want to say that the Ukrainian side is ready to hand over to the other side these captured men for the release of our hostages," the Ukrainian envoy said.

Read alsoAbout 7,000 Ukrainians in Russian jails – Ukraine MFA"The signals were sent, but there is still no answer. However, there will be a meeting of the humanitarian group in Minsk on July 4, and will also be putting forward this offer there. To unlock the process of the release of our hostages, we are ready to hand over to the other side the eight detainees, for the sake of releasing those guys who have long been held hostage and have serious health issues," said the representative of Ukraine in the humanitarian subgroup.

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As UNIAN reported earlier, a group of eight pro-Russian militants was captured in the ATO zone in Donbas in a successful raid by the Ukrainian troops.