Russia, Ukraine hand over bodies of dead soldiers

The representatives of the Russian and Ukrainian authorities have handed over the bodies of soldiers killed during the armed conflict.

Some 36 bodies were handed over to the Russian side while 140 bodies - to the Ukrainian side, according to RBC.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The president said that the goals are “demilitarisation” and “denazification” of the neighbouring country, as well as the protection of the civilian population of Donbas from “genocide by Kyiv authorities”. After the outbreak of hostilities, the Ukrainian authorities introduced martial law throughout the country and launched a general mobilisation. The partial mobilisation was announced in Russia in September 2022.