Following recent repatriation efforts, Ukraine has brought home the bodies of 1,200 fallen soldiers, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
During the latest round of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire. However, they did agree to a mutual exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of the deceased.
“According to the Russian side, the remains belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. The repatriation was carried out in line with the agreements reached in Istanbul,” the Coordination Headquarters stated.
- What happens next:
The bodies will undergo forensic examination and identification by Ukrainian investigators and Interior Ministry experts - This process will restore the names of the fallen heroes and allow families to be notified
On 2 June, during negotiations in Istanbul, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation, announced that both parties had agreed to exchange 6,000 fallen soldiers’ remains in a 6,000-for-6,000 swap.
Earlier, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said to the Ukrainian delegation during recent peace talks in Istanbul that Russia is prepared to fight forever.
Russia conditioned a ceasefire on Ukraine withdrawing all forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—regions claimed by Moscow since 2022 but only partially occupied. Ukrainian diplomatic sources said Russia also threatened to seize Kharkiv and Sumy, expanding its territorial demands.
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