Russia returns bodies of 1,200 deceased Ukrainian soldiers

On June 15, Ukraine received the bodies of another 1,200 of its deceased citizens, according to the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. 

This latest transfer marks the fourth stage of repatriation efforts following negotiations held in Istanbul, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“Another 1,200 bodies have been returned to Ukraine, which, according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel,” the statement said.

"Forensic examinations and identification procedures will be carried out by law enforcement agencies and expert institutions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs," the statement added.

Based on the Istanbul deal, on June 14, Russia handed over 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed in war, while receiving none in return

On June 13, Ukraine received 1,200 more bodies, and prior to that, on June 11, 1,212 more were transferred. In contrast, Russia received only 27 bodies of its soldiers during this period.

These exchanges stem from an agreement reached during the second round of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations held in Istanbul on June 2. 

By Khagan Isayev