Russia and Ukraine Conduct Body Exchange Amid Ongoing Conflict

Russia and Ukraine Conduct Body Exchange Amid Ongoing Conflict
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Russia and Ukraine have exchanged the remains of fallen soldiers as part of an agreement made during the second round of peace talks in Istanbul in June, Reuters reported on Thursday. According to Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia’s delegation at the negotiations, Moscow returned the bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers and received the remains of 19 Russian personnel in return. He made the announcement in a statement published on Telegram.

Citing an unnamed source, Russia’s RIA state news agency reported that this exchange marks the start of a larger process, with Russia expected to return a total of 3,000 Ukrainian bodies. This recent transfer is part of a broader pattern of humanitarian exchanges between the two sides.

Since peace negotiations resumed in May after a three-year pause, Russia and Ukraine have carried out several swaps involving prisoners of war and the remains of deceased soldiers. While fighting continues on multiple fronts, both governments have maintained limited cooperation on such exchanges, facilitated through agreements brokered during ongoing diplomatic efforts.