Ukraine Accuses Russia of Returning Dead Soldiers in Prisoner Swaps
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has charged Moscow with sending back the bodies of at least 20 deceased Russian soldiers to Kyiv during recent exchanges of prisoners of war. In striking remarks, Zelenskyy said, “They threw the corpses of their citizens at us,” underscoring the grim reality of these exchanges. Among the remains was reportedly an “Israeli mercenary” fighting for Russia. Although officials have not officially disclosed identities, Zelenskyy claimed some bodies even bore Russian passports, painting a complex and somber picture.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities have countered these claims, insisting that all bodies exchanged were Ukrainian.
New Wave of Ukrainian POWs Return Home After Years in Captivity
On June 20th, Zelenskyy announced the return of another group of Ukrainian prisoners following a swap with Russia. He highlighted that most of these fighters had been held captive for over two years. Posting on social media, he said, “Most of the warriors returning today from Russian captivity had been held for over two years. And now, at last, they are home.” He also mentioned that the returning soldiers hailed from regions including Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv.
Allegations of Western and Asian Companies Supplying Russia's Military
Zelenskyy further accused several Western and Asian firms of indirectly supporting Russia’s war machine by providing machine tools essential for weapons manufacturing. He named companies from Germany, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Japan, and the United States, though he emphasized that the majority of the suppliers are based in China. According to him, this information has been shared with international partners with a call to impose sanctions on these entities.
“We have passed on all this information to all countries, our partners, everyone… We strongly urge everyone to impose sanctions on these companies.”
Continued Fighting in Eastern Ukraine
Hostilities persist in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Russian forces are advancing westward in Donetsk, targeting key towns such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. The regional governor reported one fatality and three injuries in Sloviansk due to bombardment. Kramatorsk also suffered casualties and at least one person was trapped under debris.
Further north, a drone attack near the Russian border in Nizhyn resulted in one death and damaged infrastructure. In Kharkiv, Russian troops appear to be closing in on the strategic town of Kupiansk, with Moscow claiming control over the nearby village of Moskovka.
Ukraine Stands Firm on Peace Amid Escalation
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reaffirmed Kyiv's commitment to peace despite ongoing aggression. In a social media post, he lamented Russia’s continued choice of war, challenging US-led diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. Ukrainian officials express concern that if peace negotiations lead to freezing the current frontline, Russia’s hold over occupied areas may become permanent.
