Ukraine repatriates 1,000 bodies, including soldiers
The bodies of 1,000 deceased Ukrainians, including soldiers, were returned to Ukraine as a result of recent repatriation efforts, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
The repatriation was facilitated through the joint efforts of the Coordination Headquarters and other Ukrainian security and defense sector agencies.
“Investigators from law enforcement agencies, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct all necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies,” the Coordination Headquarters stated.
According to pro-Kremlin media, Ukraine transferred the bodies of 19 deceased Russian soldiers to Moscow in exchange.
Repatriation and exchanges following Istanbul agreements
On June 16, the final stage of repatriation under the Istanbul Agreements was completed, with 1,245 bodies of deceased Ukrainian citizens returned.
Over the previous two days, Russia transferred a total of 2,400 bodies of Ukrainian citizens, including fallen defenders. Earlier, the bodies of 1,212 fallen Ukrainian soldiers were also repatriated.
Additionally, three stages of prisoner exchanges occurred earlier. On June 9, a group of Ukrainian defenders under 25 years old was returned. The following days saw the repatriation of two groups of seriously wounded and ill Ukrainian soldiers.
During the first round of talks in Istanbul on May 16, Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed to a “1,000-for-1,000” prisoner exchange, which took place in three stages from May 23 to 25.
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