The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations calls on every religious leader and clergyman in the Russian Federation to help ensure that captured Russian soldiers return to their families, and Ukrainian soldiers to their own families.
The AUCCRO calls such an exchange "a manifestation of mercy". This is stated in the Appeal published on March 15.
The whole world is now witnessing the tragic developments in Ukraine caused by the invasion of the Russian army into our sovereign state. Despite this, the Armed Forces of Ukraine show humanity towards captured Russian soldiers: they receive medical care, food, water and are kept in warm rooms.
With this attitude, the Ukrainian army confirms that it adheres to the norms of international humanitarian law. Ukraine seeks to end the war and bloodshed that is possible as soon as Russian troops and fleets return to their permanent locations, and aircraft and ballistic missiles stop destroying peaceful cities and villages in Ukraine.
For your part, as people of faith and endowed with the spiritual authority of religious leaders, each of you can contribute to saving the lives of people caught at the mouth of this terrible war. Foremost, make every possible effort to facilitate the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine as a manifestation of mercy.
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations calls on every religious leader and clergyman in the Russian Federation to help ensure that captured Russian soldiers return to their families and Ukrainian soldiers to their own families.
May the All-Merciful Lord help us in this good deed!