Nearly 2,500 Ukrainian convicts from occupied territories sent to Russia – Human Rights Commissioner.

At least 2,500 Ukrainians who remained in prison in the occupied territories of Ukraine were taken to Russia.

Dmytro Lubinets, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, reported: "We cannot say for sure how many Ukrainians are on the territory of Russia at the moment because Russia does not provide us with official numbers. But according to our reports, there are at least 2,500 Ukrainian citizens who were imprisoned on the now occupied territories of Ukraine who were then taken to the territory of Russia."

The Prosecutor General’s Office reported that the convicts might be sent back to participate in combat actions against Ukraine.

The other problem is that the inmates are under the control of the other state but de jure continues serving their sentence. Thus, the issue of regulating their status in the future arises.

Xi Jinping Did Not Change His Mind on Russian War Following Talks with Macron

Chinese President Xi Jinping showed no sign of changing his position on Russia's war in Ukraine after talks Thursday with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

As Politico writes, on the second day of Macron’s state visit to China, Xi took his long-standing line on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — saying that "all sides" have "reasonable security concerns" — and gave no hint he would use his influence to help end the conflict.

"China is willing to jointly appeal with France to the international community to remain rational and calm," was as far as the Chinese leader would go during a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Peace talks should be resumed as soon as possible, taking into account the reasonable security concerns of all sides concerning the U.N. Charter … seeking political resolution and constructing a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework," he added, sitting next to Macron.

The French president arrived in China on Wednesday, hoping to push China to use its leverage with Russia to end the conflict and to get Beijing to speak out against the Kremlin’s threat to host nuclear missiles in Belarus.

Instead, Macron and Xi spent one and a half hours in bilateral talks described as "frank and constructive" by an Elysée Palace official before signing several deals — including the sale of Airbus aircraft — and making pacts for cultural cooperation.

But in a protocol faux pas noted by Xi’s Chinese entourage members, Macron spoke for roughly twice as long as his host during the press conference.

After reading his carefully scripted remarks while staring straight ahead, Xi sometimes looked impatient and annoyed as Macron continued speaking. Xi heaved a couple of deep sighs and appeared uncomfortable as Macron addressed him directly while ad-libbing on the Ukraine war and their joint responsibility to uphold peace.

The tone of the exchange of views contrasted sharply with the ceremony of signing various commercial contracts.

The intensity of Russian attacks increased in March

Border guards, along with other units of the Defence Forces, took part in more than 900 combat engagements with Russia during March.

During March, border guards repelled more than 1,800 enemy attacks on the positions of our servicemen.

Their intensity has increased by 11% in comparison with the previous month.

Border guards and other units participated in more than 900 combat engagements with the aggressor in March. In addition, a significant amount of enemy manpower and equipment was destroyed in the course of joint actions.

Andrii Demchenko, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service spokesperson, says that Ukrainian soldiers constantly repel Russian attacks on the Avdiivka, Lyman, and Bakhmut fronts. Russian forces continue to concentrate their largest offensive capabilities on the latter front, despite suffering significant losses. The occupiers are trying to use tactics of exhaustion and destruction.

The spokesperson has particularly noted the efficient actions of border guard units’ aerial reconnaissance groups, which are destroying Russian troops and adjusting artillery fire on Russian positions.