Zelensky receives bodies of 1,200 deceased Ukrainians

Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine agreed during the second round of negotiations in Istanbul that the remains of fallen soldiers would be exchanged.

Meanwhile, Russia has returned the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainians to Kyiv. They are mainly military personnel, according to the Ukrainian centre for the coordination of prisoners of war, citing Russian statements. Ukraine will now proceed to identify the victims. Russia itself has not yet commented on any possible repatriation of their own soldiers.

The Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky reports that Russia had already returned the bodies of 1,212 Ukrainians to Kyiv earlier this week. In exchange, Russia received 27 bodies. Prisoners of war were also exchanged, but it is unclear how many people this involved.

In Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia agreed to both return 6,000 bodies. Prisoners of war who are ill, seriously wounded, or young would also be released.

(FVDV - Source: Reuters/Kyiv post - Illustrative image: ©Unsplash)