"We've got information from representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics ['DPR' and 'LPR'] on the hostages we're looking for. Until recently, the figures were different and they had named 21-26 people. Today we know that the whereabouts of 45 of our hostages have been identified. This is very important," Tandyt told Channel 112 Ukraine.
He said the Ukrainian side is ready to furnish a reference on every single person whose release has been requested by the "DPR" or "LPR."
Read alsoOSCE supports Red Cross' possible involvement in Donbas swap mediation"We observed that till date, the negotiators from that side have not been interested in this. The figure of 1,102 was mentioned, then 602, but we said 618 individuals are confirmed to be inside Ukrainian territory. We are ready to exchange whoever we can under the applicable laws at any time, and expect the same on the part of the 'DPR' and 'LPR,'" Tandyt stated.
"I hope we'll be able to announce good news soon," he added.
Darka Olifer, press secretary of Ukraine's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas, former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, earlier said the Ukrainian side had insisted on the release of 107 Ukrainian citizens illegally kept by Russian proxies in Donbas.
