Russia and Ukraine Engage in Significant Body Repatriation Talks

Moscow Confirms Transfer of Fallen Soldiers' Bodies

Moscow: On Monday, Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky announced that Russia has returned the remains of 6,060 soldiers to Ukraine.

This decision follows discussions between Russia and Ukraine that took place in Istanbul on June 2, where an agreement was reached to repatriate the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

Medinsky noted that Ukraine has also handed over the remains of 78 Russian soldiers, as reported by Xinhua news agency. He mentioned on Telegram that prisoner exchanges are ongoing, and arrangements are in place for the transfer of severely injured servicemen from the front lines.

On June 13, Ukraine successfully repatriated the bodies of 1,200 soldiers as part of a separate exchange agreement with Russia.

This repatriation was executed according to the agreements established in Istanbul, as stated by Ukraine's Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The agency confirmed that law enforcement, in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct necessary examinations to identify the returned bodies.

Last week, Moscow expressed its readiness to transfer the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers and indicated that it had been waiting for the Ukrainian side at the border for several days, according to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Peskov expressed hope that the bodies of deceased Russian soldiers would also be exchanged soon.

"There is no final agreement yet; discussions are ongoing, and numbers are being verified," he stated, emphasizing that Moscow anticipates the exchange will occur once clarity is achieved.

On June 12, Ukraine and Russia completed the second phase of a prisoner exchange involving critically ill and severely wounded captives, as reported by Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared on Telegram that those released included servicemen from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.

Additionally, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that another group of Russian servicemen has returned from Ukrainian captivity and is currently receiving medical and psychological support in Belarus.

On June 9, the first phase of a prisoner exchange was conducted following the agreements made in Istanbul.