Russia Hands Over Another 1,200 Ukrainian War Dead
In a continuing effort to honor a recent agreement, Russia has transferred the remains of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers killed in the ongoing conflict, Russian state media reported Sunday. This marks the fourth such handover within the week.
Details of the Agreement and Exchanges
The exchanges come as part of an arrangement struck between Moscow and Kyiv during talks held earlier this month in Istanbul. Both sides agreed to facilitate the return of up to 6,000 bodies each, alongside the exchange of prisoners of war, including those severely wounded, sick, or under the age of 25.
According to Russian sources, nearly 5,000 Ukrainian service members’ bodies have been returned so far. In contrast, Russia claims to have received only 27 bodies of its own soldiers in return.
Prisoner Exchanges Remain Ongoing
Besides the transfer of remains, both nations have conducted three rounds of prisoner exchanges, though neither side has disclosed precise figures concerning the number of prisoners traded. These exchanges remain a delicate aspect of the conflict, reflecting ongoing negotiations and humanitarian concerns amid hostilities.
Context and Significance
Such returns of fallen soldiers’ bodies represent one of the few areas of cooperation between the two adversaries. They bear significant emotional weight for families awaiting closure and signal fragile but continuing communication channels even amidst conflict.
While the disparity in returned bodies fuels tensions, these exchanges underscore efforts to adhere to humanitarian norms despite the brutal realities on the battlefield.
Note: All facts are based on publicly reported statements and reflect the current status of exchanges as of mid-June 2025.
