Russians jailed in Ukraine return to Moscow in Savchenko exchange deal

Media reports suggested on 25 May 2016 that Ukraine and Russia had carried out a prisoner swap, which saw Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko return home in exchange for Russian soldiers Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev, who had been captured in eastern Ukraine.

While Ms Savchenko was received as a hero back in Ukraine, the two soldiers had a private welcome at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport.

Some officials and analysts considered that this move could help mend the relations between the two countries. EU and NATO officials welcomed the release of Ms Savchenko.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Ukrainian court sentences Russian soldiers, prisoner swap taking shape http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukrainian-court-sentences-russian-soldiers-prisoner-swap-taking-shape/

Euronews, 25.05.16: Hero’s welcome for Ukraine pilot Nadiya Savchenko after Russia prisoner swap http://www.euronews.com/2016/05/25/hero-s-welcome-for-ukraine-pilot-nadiya-savchenko-after-russia-prisoner-swap/

Deutsche Welle, 25.05.16: [Opinion] Release of Nadiya Savchenko just a small happy end for Russia and Ukraine http://dw.com/p/1IuRA

Radio Poland, 25.05.16: Ukrainian pilot Savchenko released by Russia http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/254382,Ukrainian-pilot-Savchenko-released-by-Russia

Deutsche Welle, 25.05.16: Detained Ukrainian pilot returns to Kyiv from Russia http://dw.com/p/1Iu3t

Sputnik International, 25.05.16: Savchenko Release ‘Milestone’ in Resolving Ukrainian Conflict - Canadian FM http://sptnkne.ws/bubp

Sputnik International, 25.05.16: Freeing Savchenko, Russian Nationals is Step to Restore Kiev-Moscow Ties http://sptnkne.ws/buje

The Moscow Times, 25.05.16: Why Savchenko is Less Havel than Malcolm X http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/savchenko-flies-home-to-ukraine/570271.html

France 24, 25.05.16: Pilot Savchenko arrives in Ukraine after nearly two years in Russian jail http://www.france24.com/en/20160525-ukrainian-pilot-released-russia-returning-home-official-says

The Guardian, 25.05.16: Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko released by Russia in prisoner swap http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/25/ukrainian-pilot-nadiya-savchenko-released-by-russia-in-prisoner-swap-deal

BBC News, 25.05.16: Nadiya Savchenko: Russia frees Ukraine servicewoman http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36378173

The New York Times, 25.05.16: Ukrainian Pilot, Nadiya Savchenko, Is Exchanged for 2 Russian Prisoners http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/world/europe/ukraine-russia-prisoner-swap.html

RT, 25.05.16: Ukrainian pilot Savchenko pardoned by Putin, swapped for 2 Russians https://www.rt.com/news/344310-russians-arrive-savchenko-swap/

EurActiv, 25.05.16: EU and Ukraine celebrate the release of Nadia Savchenko http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-and-ukraine-celebrate-the-release-of-nadia-savchenko/

EUObserver, 26.05.16: Savchenko release to revive peace process, EU hopes https://euobserver.com/foreign/133562

ESO: Background information: Savchenko returns to Ukraine http://www.europeansources.info/record/savchenko-returns-to-ukraine/

Spiegel Online International, 07.09.16: Nadiya Savchenko's Assault on Ukraine's Elite http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/nadiya-savchenko-assault-on-the-political-elite-in-ukraine-a-1111142.html

Chatham House: Video, 12.12.16: The three lives of Ukraine's Nadiya Savchenko https://www.chathamhouse.org/file/three-lives-ukraines-nadiya-savchenko

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