Russia says Ukraine has refused to accept the bodies of over 6,000 of its soldiers, which Moscow offered to return.
The move was described by Russia as a one-sided humanitarian gesture. Russia’s negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said the offer was made during talks in Istanbul. According to him, both sides also agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners each.
The first shipment of 1,212 Ukrainian soldiers’ remains was delivered in refrigerated trucks to a handover point on the border, Medinsky said. He added that more shipments are on the way. Russia also handed Ukraine a list of 640 wounded and young prisoners eligible for exchange.
Despite the arrangements, Medinsky said Ukraine did not show up at the exchange point. He said Ukraine postponed both the prisoner exchange and the acceptance of the bodies, citing reasons he described as “various” and “strange.” He did not provide further details.
Medinsky urged Ukraine to follow the schedule and start the process. He said this would allow the wounded to return home and the dead to be buried properly. He also said the Russian side is present at the handover site and ready to proceed.
Russia’s official position is that it is acting in line with the agreements and expects Ukraine to do the same.
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