Ukraine: Donetsk-born Ukrainian soldier refuses to be part of prisoner exchange

One Ukrainian serviceman, held as a prisoner by militiamen from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR/DNR), refused to return to the pro-Kiev lines as part of a 12-prisoner exchange between the DPR and the Ukrainian army conducted in Aleksandrovka, Thursday. Giving reasons for refusing the man said he was from the Donetsk region and wanted to go home. "I want to go home, I want Gorlovka. I have a good attitude [to DPR's members]. I understand that it is a difficult time now. I have nothing against this side, as I am a resident of the Donetsk region I want to live here," the man, named Dmitry, stated. The prisoner exchange took place in one of the last checkpoints before the beginning of the Ukrainian government-controlled areas, and were conducted as part of the Minsk agreements. Previous to this release of Ukrainian servicemen, 12 DPR militiamen were released by Ukrainian army.