Ukraine updates: 1,212 soldiers' bodies back in Ukraine – DW – 06/11/2025
Skip next section Ukraine says it has received remains of 1,212 fallens soldiers
06/11/2025
June 11, 2025 Ukraine says it has received remains of 1,212 fallens soldiers
Ukraine has taken back the bodies of 1,212 of its fallen soldiers from Russia after days of dispute during which Russia accused Kyiv of not accepting the remains.
The agency dealing with prisoners of war in Kyiv said the soldiers had died in fighting in Russia's Kursk region and the Ukrainian regions of Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
Ukraine said its experts "will identify the deceased as soon as possible".
Russia's top negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, also confirmed the handover and said Russia had "received the remains of 27 Russian soldiers."
Ukraine did not say how many bodies it returned to Russia.
Russia has for days said Ukraine was refusing to accept the bodies, calling on Kyiv to honor agreements reached at talks in Istanbul at the beginning of the month.
According to Moscow, the bodies had been made ready for handover at the weekend, but Ukraine said no handover date had been agreed, accusing Russia of unilateral and uncoordinated actions.
The Istanbul talks provided for the return of the remains of more than 6,000 fallen soldiers from each side.
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