Ukraine Receives 1200 Fallen Soldiers From Russia in Ongoing Repatriation Efforts
Ukraine has brought home the bodies of 1,200 soldiers killed in the war with Russia, following agreements made during recent Istanbul peace talks. The exchange, confirmed by both countries, was supported by multiple Ukrainian agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The remains came from key battlegrounds like Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
In return, Russia received the bodies of 27 soldiers. Ukrainian officials say efforts are underway to identify the fallen with the help of forensic teams. “According to the Russian side, the bodies belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel,” Kyiv’s POW coordination centre said. This is one of several such exchanges, with more than 70 already carried out since the war began.
Though the two sides remain far from a ceasefire, they agreed to repatriate up to 6,000 bodies and prioritize the return of the severely wounded and young prisoners. Tensions remain high, with each side accusing the other of delays and manipulation. But, exchanges have continued, with the latest prisoner swaps happening just days ago.
