Russia, Ukraine confirm swap of bodies of fallen soldiers

MOSCOW/KYIV - Russia has transferred 1,212 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky said Wednesday.

Medinsky said on Telegram that 27 bodies of Russian soldiers were returned, adding that the work will continue over the next few days.

Both sides will also begin exchanging seriously wounded prisoners from Thursday, he said.

The repatriation of the deceased was made possible with the help of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other agencies, Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Wednesday in a statement.

The agency also expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its support in facilitating the return of the bodies.

The return is part of a deal made during the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkiye's Istanbul on June 2.

During their last round of talks, Russia and Ukraine agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange involving seriously ill and wounded prisoners, as well as soldiers under the age of 25, according to Medinsky.

Under the agreement, the first stage of the prisoner swap was carried out on Monday.