"Interfax": exchange of Savchenko for Russians convicted in USA possible

Nadezhda Savchenko, a citizen of Ukraine, convicted to 22 years in colony, may be exchanged for a group of Russians, in particular, for Victor But and Konstantin Yaroshenko, who are serving their terms in the USA, the "Interfax" has reported with reference to its source. Savchenko's advocate believes this decision to be a way out of the situation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 22, the Donetsk City Court of the Rostov Region sentenced Nadezhda Savchenko to 22 years of imprisonment in a common-security penal colony and a fine of 30,000 roubles. She was found guilty of involvement in the killing of Russian journalists not far from Lugansk and illegal crossing of the border with the Russian Federation.

Currently, consultations are underway on the possible exchange, including through confidential channels, the "Interfax" reports today, citing its source.

"The Russian party has offered a list of fellow citizens, in exchange for whom it is ready to release the former Ukrainian servicewoman; the list contains the entrepreneur Victor But and the pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had been condemned to long sentences in the USA, as well as other Russians, whose activities are not usually advertised," the source said.