Ukraine's representative in Minsk group Gerashchenko: 119 Ukrainian captives in Russia, Donbas

16:10, 20.07.2016 1 min read

Ten Ukrainian captives are imprisoned in Russia and another 109 people are held hostage in occupied areas in Donbas, Iryna Gerashchenko, Ukraine's representative in the Trilateral Contact Group's humanitarian subgroup and first deputy parliament speaker, has said.

"Ten people are kept imprisoned in Russia and 109 people are held captive in the occupied territory," she said on Channel 5 on Tuesday.

Gerashchenko claims Donbas militants at Minsk talks were trying to peg the adoption of a bill on local elections in Donbas and Donbas status amendments to Ukraine's Constitution with the release of the hostages.

She insists that Ukraine should strengthen its position in international courts and protect the interests of the country and Ukrainians in the international arena.