Media: Russian-Backed Separatists

media: Tsemakh, who was arrested in a raid in June, has been charged with terrorism for his part fighting for the Russian-backed separatists, but on Thursday he was abruptly released on his own recognisance pending trial, according to The Guardian. His place in a swap with Russia has not been confirmed but has been widely rumoured in media. Vladimir Tsemakh had bragged on video of commanding an anti-air brigade in separatist-held east Ukraine and indicated he hid evidence of a Buk missile system, the kind Dutch investigators say shot down the Malaysia Airlines jet with 298 people on board. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, speaking at an economic forum shortly after Tsemakh's release on Thursday, said Moscow and Kyiv were finalising talks on whom to exchange, adding that the swap would be large . He did not specifically mention Tsemakh. Russia is holding dozens of Ukrainian prisoners, including 24 sailors captured in November and the film-maker Oleh Sentsov. Three Russians and one Ukrainian to face MH17 murder charges Read more The reports have worried Dutch investigators and lawmakers, who fear Russia will pressure Ukraine to give up one of the few suspects in the case in custody. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.