Ukraine offers rebels "one-for-three" prisoner swap

Kiev stands ready for a prisoner exchange with independence-seeking insurgents in eastern Ukraine under the "one-for-three" formula, the head of the Ukrainian Security Service Vasyl Hrytsak said on Wednesday.

"We are ready to release three prisoners in exchange for one in an effort to return our people home," Hrytsak told reporters during his visit to the country's eastern Donetsk region.

At least 109 Ukrainians, including 43 civilians, who were detained during the conflict in eastern Ukraine, remain in the rebel captivity, Hrytsak said, adding that the whereabouts of 57 people is already established.

So far, insurgents have confirmed the detention of only 47 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

In September, rebels, who believe that Kiev is holding 618 of their supporters, said they have proposed an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange formula to the Ukrainian government.

The prisoner swap is a key part of the Minsk ceasefire agreement designed to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 9,600 people since April 2014. Endit