Putin's aide confirms transferring over 6,060 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv PHOTO

Russia has fulfilled the promises made in Istanbul, handing over a total of 6,060 bodies of fallen Ukrainian Armed Forces officers and soldiers to the Ukrainian side.

The announcement was made by Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the Russian president and head of the Russian delegation in negotiations with Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports.

"Russia has fulfilled the promises made in Istanbul: in total, 6,060 bodies of fallen officers and soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been handed over to the Ukrainian side," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

Medinsky noted that Kyiv had returned the bodies of 78 deceased Russian servicemen.

"The exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine continues," he added.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, they are currently ready to hand over an additional 2,239 bodies of fallen Ukrainian servicemen to the Ukrainian side.

The handovers have taken place in phases over recent days. On June 11, Ukraine received 1,212 bodies, followed by 1,200 on June 13, another 1,200 on June 14, and a further 1,200 on June 15. The cumulative total of Ukrainians remains returned since the Istanbul agreement stands at 6,060.

By Khagan Isayev