Savchenko to be swapped for Russian GRU officers by late May

Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to swap Ukrainian pilot, MP and member of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE Nadia Savchenko for two Russian GRU officers, Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev, convicted in Ukraine. They will be transferred to serve their sentence at home until the end of May, Russian news agency RBC reported.

According to a federal official and a source close to the leadership of the Federation Council, Moscow will transfer Savchenko to Ukraine to serve her sentence, and Kyiv will return two Russian nationals, convicted in Ukraine.

It is noted that these processes will be synchronized, but will take place only after the verdict of Alexandrov and Yerofeyev enters into force, i.e. not earlier than mid-May.

Under Russian law, the verdict comes into force ten days after the announcement, if it has not been appealed, while according to the Ukrainian law it comes into force after 30 days. The judgment against Savchenko entered into force on April 5, while the verdict of Alexandrov and Yerofeyev will come into force only in mid-May, if it is not appealed.

"We should wait for the period of appeal procedures, i.e. until May," the source in the Federation Council said. According to him, in addition to Savchenko, Russia will discuss the exchange of other Russians.

Original