Russia and Ukraine exchange remains of 1,200 departed citizens in recent repatriation exchange.
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Hey there! Let's dive into the latest developments of the repatriation process between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukraine's recent efforts have resulted in the recovery of 1,200 fallen citizens, including military personnel. This takes the total to 3,612 recovered bodies from the series of repatriation rounds coordinated with Russia, following the talks in Istanbul on June 2, 2025.
The initial round of repatriation was on June 11, 2025, followed by another one on June 13, and again on June 14, indicating a surge in efforts following the Istanbul talks.
The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of War, in collaboration with the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ombudsman's Office, the Armed Forces, the Interior Ministry, and other government and defense bodies, oversaw the operation. The International Committee of the Red Cross provided assistance.
The Coordination Headquarters said, "The remains will undergo forensic examination and identification procedures conducted by law enforcement investigators in cooperation with expert institutions under the Interior Ministry."
Ukraine has also begun implementing a "permanent humanitarian medical exchange" with Russia, as agreed in Istanbul. Injured Russian POWs are being transferred directly from the front lines, as per the "I Want to Live" project - a government run initiative facilitating the voluntary surrender of soldiers.
The talks in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, resulted in a new prisoner exchange, but failed to secure a ceasefire agreement. The largest prisoner swap of the war occurred on May 16, when approximately 1,000 captives were exchanged on each side.
Ukraine's push for a comprehensive "all-for-all" prisoner exchange to bring home all Ukrainian captives remains unfulfilled, as Moscow continues to resist such a deal.
Exact numbers of prisoners released at each stage are yet to be disclosed by Kyiv until the completion of the exchange process.
In essence, Ukraine and Russia are actively implementing their humanitarian and medical repatriation agreements, with a focus on the most vulnerable prisoners. The process is ongoing, coordinated by Ukrainian authorities, and though specific numbers are yet to be disclosed, it is characterized by a phased approach.
In light of the ongoing repatriation process between Ukraine and Russia, political discussions regarding war-and-conflicts have been further intensified in general news, with the latest development being the implementation of a "permanent humanitarian medical exchange" that involves the transfer of injured Russian POWs from the front lines. Amidst this, the talks in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, led to a new prisoner exchange, albeit failing to secure a ceasefire agreement.
