Kremlin ally in prisoner swap

RUSSIAN nationalists reacted with fury yesterday after Ukraine secured the release of more than 200 prisoners of war.

The surprise deal saw commanders and soldiers from the elite Azov regiment freed with just 55 Russian detainees handed to Moscow, including staunch Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk, pictured. But Kremlin hardliners said Russia should have sought more concessions.

Former Russian colonel Igor Girkin branded the pact ‘treason’. He said the prisoner exchange ‘was worse than a crime and worse than a mistake. It is unacceptable stupidity’.

‘We have freed 215 of our people... of whom 124 are officers. Of those we have freed, 108 are Azov fighters,’ said Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff.

Moscow also released ten foreigners, including five British nationals.

Last night, Ukraine’s military intelligence unit said many of those freed showed signs of torture.