Russia receives 34 bodies as Ukraine retrieves nearly thousand in grim exchange

Ukrainian authorities have announced the return of 909 bodies of fallen servicemen to territory under Kyiv’s control.

According to a statement by State Duma Deputy Shamsail Saraliev to RBC, Russia received the bodies of 34 soldiers, Caliber.Az reports.

Ukraine’s Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that the repatriated remains included those previously held in Russian morgues, as well as the bodies of soldiers who recently died in combat zones near Kurakhove, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and other frontline areas.

The headquarters expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for assisting in the return of the bodies. "Law enforcement investigators and expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will work to identify the deceased as quickly as possible," the statement read.

The previous exchange of soldiers' remains between Russia and Ukraine took place on April 18. On that occasion, 41 bodies were handed over to the Russian side, while Ukraine received 909.

On May 6, Russia and Ukraine carried out their fifth prisoner exchange of the year. It was one of the largest such operations since the beginning of the conflict, with each side returning 205 military personnel. The exchange was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.

By Tamilla Hasanova