Russia, Ukraine Finalize Fifth Swap of Deceased Soldiers

2025-06-16 07:45:17

(MENAFN) Russia and Ukraine announced on Monday the completion of a fifth exchange of deceased soldiers, part of the agreements forged during recent direct negotiations in Istanbul.

According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, Moscow returned the remains of 1,248 Ukrainian military personnel to Kyiv, while Ukraine handed over the bodies of 51 Russian servicemen.

The statement emphasized that Russia “fulfilled the agreements” made in Istanbul earlier this month by transferring a total of 6,060 bodies to Ukraine, with Moscow receiving 78 in return.

“We are ready at this stage to transfer another 2,239 bodies of the deceased servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the Ukrainian side,” the Russian ministry added.

Vladimir Medinsky, presidential aide and head of Russia’s delegation in the Istanbul peace talks, corroborated the exchange on Telegram, confirming ongoing prisoner swaps as well.

“Urgent medical transfers of seriously wounded from the front line have been established,” Medinsky stated.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War also verified the swap via Telegram but reported slightly different numbers, noting that 1,245 bodies "which, according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian citizens," were handed over in this latest round.

"Thus, Ukraine (has) received (a total of) 6,057 bodies within the framework of the Istanbul agreements," the Ukrainian statement specified.

The second round of peace talks took place in Istanbul on June 2, following the initial session on May 16.

During these discussions, both parties committed to exchanging more prisoners of war—focusing primarily on the youngest and most severely injured—and returning the remains of 6,000 soldiers from each side.

Last week marked the first exchange under the deal, with Kyiv receiving 1,212 bodies, while Moscow obtained 27 Russian soldiers' remains.

Subsequently, three further exchanges occurred consecutively on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

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