The NGO “Strength of the Marines” has expressed its strong protest against the possible dismissal of Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and Head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
According to the organization’s representatives, such changes could have a negative impact on the prisoner of war exchange process, which is currently being established under Budanov’s leadership. They emphasize that during his two years as head of the Coordination Headquarters, Kyrylo Budanov maintained constant contact with the families of the Mariupol garrison prisoners.
“Everything that has been done and is being done for every prisoner of war and their families is an example of conscientious work. The well-established work has resulted in these long-awaited exchanges that every family is waiting for with bated breath,” the statement said.
Representatives of families, friends and those who care about the fate of the captured heroes of Mariupol express their categorical disapproval of the possible change of leadership of the Coordination Center. They fear that this could halt the ongoing exchange process.
“The Mariupol garrison, the 36th Brigade, along with other brigades, have a very complicated process of returning our heroes from captivity. In our opinion, and the opinion of all the families, the change of the heads of the working group may suspend the ongoing exchange process,” the Marine Corps emphasizes.
The organization calls on the state leadership to “do everything possible to support the structures involved in the exchanges, to hear the families of prisoners of war and not to make changes.”