MOSCOW, December 30 (RAPSI) – Full realization of the Minsk agreements aimed to halt fighting in the Donbass Region is the only right way to protect human rights in the conflict zone, Russia’s federal ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova has said after exchange of captives between Ukraine, Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk.

People are released and will meet the New Year with their families, Moskalkova has said. She has also thanked the leaders of the Normandy Four states (Russia, Germany, Ukraine, France), who had supported the move, intelligence officers, ombudsmen of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and others involved.

In late evening of December 29, the first war prisoner exchange in the space of two years took place. Kiev transferred over 120 people to the Donbass Region, and 76 people were returned to the territory controlled by Ukraine.