Russia and Ukraine on Monday confirmed the fifth exchange of bodies under agreements reached during their recent peace talks in Istanbul. According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, Moscow handed over the remains of 1,248 Ukrainian servicemen, while Kyiv transferred 51 bodies of Russian soldiers.
The Russian side noted that this latest swap brings the total number of Ukrainian bodies returned to 6,060, with 78 Russian bodies received in return. Moscow also stated it is prepared to transfer another 2,239 Ukrainian bodies in line with the agreements.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky confirmed the ongoing exchanges, highlighting that prisoner swaps and urgent medical evacuations from front-line areas are also continuing.
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War cited slightly different figures, stating that 1,245 bodies had been returned in the latest exchange, bringing the total to 6,057. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said this marked the “final stage” of the body repatriations agreed upon in Istanbul, and pledged continued efforts to bring back prisoners of war.
Four other body exchanges have taken place in recent days, as both sides follow through on the terms set during the Istanbul peace negotiations held on June 2.
