UPDATE - Ukraine says Russia returned bodies of 1,200 servicemen

REVISES HEADLINE, DECK & LEDE; UPDATES WITH FURTHER INFORMATION ON BODY SWAP

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukraine on Sunday said that Russia has returned the bodies of 1,200 servicemen, confirming a fourth exchange under an agreement reached during recent direct talks in Istanbul.

The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement on Telegram that Russia had returned the bodies of 1,200 servicemen in line with the agreement reached in Türkiye’s largest city. It did not specify whether any bodies were transferred to the Russian side in return.

“In the near future, law enforcement investigators, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will carry out all necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies,” the statement said.

The headquarters thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance and noted that the exchange was the result of coordinated efforts by several Ukrainian institutions.

Russia has not officially confirmed the third exchange. However, Russian state media, including the Tass news agency, reported that 1,200 bodies were handed over to Ukraine, citing a source in Moscow’s negotiating team. The report said no bodies were returned to the Russian side.

On June 2, Istanbul hosted the second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, following the first round held on May 16.

At the latest talks, both sides agreed to exchange additional prisoners of war – prioritizing the youngest and most severely wounded – and to return the bodies of 6,000 soldiers from each side.

Last Wednesday, both Russia and Ukraine confirmed the first exchange under the deal. Kyiv said 1,212 bodies were returned to Ukraine, while Moscow said it received the bodies of 27 Russian soldiers.

Two more swaps were confirmed by Ukraine on Friday and Saturday.