Ukraine repatriates another 1,200 soldiers' bodies from Russia

 

Ukraine repatriates another 1,200 soldiers' bodies from Russia

Ukraine has announced the return of 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The repatriation is part of ongoing agreements between Kyiv and Moscow to exchange prisoners of war and the deceased.  

The Ukrainian prisoner exchange coordination committee stated that the bodies belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel, and that identification tests will be conducted by experts. Photos released show personnel in hazmat suits, with the logo of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at an undisclosed location near railway carriages, handling the remains of the soldiers.

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Earlier this week, Ukraine successfully repatriated another 1,212 bodies of its servicemen. Kyiv and Moscow have agreed to exchange up to 6,000 bodies and to swap sick and wounded prisoners, including those under 25 years old. So far, three exchanges of prisoners of war have taken place this week, though the exact numbers of exchanged individuals have not been publicly disclosed.

The ongoing human exchanges underscore the tragic toll of the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The repatriation efforts reflect both humanitarian concerns and ongoing diplomatic negotiations amid the broader conflict.