Russia claims Kyiv postponed plans for exchange of soldiers' bodies
Russian officials said yesterday that Moscow is still awaiting official confirmation from Ukraine that a planned exchange of 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed in action will take place, reiterating allegations that Kyiv had postponed the swap.
Russian state media quoted Lieutenant General Alexander Zorin, a representative of the Russian negotiating group, as saying that Russia delivered the first batch of 1,212 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to the exchange site at the border and is waiting for confirmation from Ukraine, but there were 'signals' the process of transferring the bodies would be postponed until next week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees to be extended to March 2027
THE GOVERNMENT HAS decided to support in principle the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive for refugees from Ukraine until March 2027, enabling them to live, work and study in Ireland. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan got approval from Cabinet yesterday to support the proposal at the Justice and Home Affairs Council this week to extend the directive. The Temporary Protection Directive, a legal framework for hosting people displaced by war in Ukraine, was extended last year until March 2026. Advertisement Last week, the EU proposed extending right for four million Ukrainians to stay in the bloc until 2027. Ireland is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in over 320 IPAS centres around the country, about 9,500 of whom are children and their families. The European Commission has urged EU governments to look at for longer term solutions, such residency, work and student permits and visas. Governments in the EU have also been encouraged to set up programmes to promote voluntary return programmes to Ukraine. To offer a more stable and lasting perspective beyond temporary protection, the Commission has also proposed a set of measures to prepare a coordinated transition out of temporary protection. It is expected integration into host countries and facilitating a smooth return to Ukraine will be promoted, with information hubs to be setup to provide guidance on integration and return options. Related Reads Two killed after Russian strikes on Kyiv and Odesa, hitting maternity hospital, Ukraine says At least five killed as Russia launches major attack on Ukraine Trump-Putin phone call will not lead to 'immediate peace in Ukraine', US President says Allowing exploratory visits to Ukraine could help those considering a return home to make informed decisions, the Commission has said. A Special Envoy to support Member States in the process and ensure coordination with Ukrainian authorities is also to be established. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
Russian strikes kill two and wound 60 in Ukraine
RUSSIAN STRIKES ON Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv killed two people and wounded 60 including children early this morning, authorities said, as Moscow pushed ahead with its relentless attacks after rejecting an unconditional ceasefire. 'Seventeen strikes by enemy UAVs (drones) were carried out in two districts of the city tonight,' Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said on Telegram. Police said a 65-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were killed in the shelling and 60 others wounded, including nine children . Russia has escalated its bombardments of Ukraine despite US President Donald Trump urging Moscow to end its three-year invasion, with Kyiv launching retaliatory attacks deep inside Russian territory. After a previous overnight barrage of more than 300 drones and seven missiles on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Kyiv's Western allies to respond with 'concrete action'. 'Action from America, which has the power to force Russia into peace. Action from Europe, which has no alternative but to be strong,' Zelenskyy wrote on social media. Peace talks in Turkey last week failed to yield a breakthrough towards ending the conflict, with Russia rejecting calls for an unconditional ceasefire and demanding Ukraine give up its territory and bid to join NATO. But the two sides agreed to swap more than 1,000 prisoners of war and hand over the bodies of dead soldiers, swapping groups of captured soldiers on Monday and Tuesday. Prisoner exchanges Kharkhiv, which lies less than 50 kilometres from the Russian border, has been hit by a surge in large-scale nighttime attacks over the past week. Wednesday's strikes left a five-story building on fire in Slobidskyi district, while several houses were hit in Osnovyansky district, Mayor Terekhov said. The attacks came after Russia pummelled Kharkiv on Saturday in what Terekhov called 'the most powerful attack' on the city since the start of the war. Advertisement Four people were killed and more than 50 wounded as homes and apartment blocks were hit overnight and guided bombs were dropped on the city on Saturday afternoon. Russian strikes also hit the southern port city of Odesa on Wednesday, Ukrainian emergency servces said. 'Tonight, Russia attacked Odesa region. Summer houses, outbuildings, cars and civilian watercraft were destroyed and damaged,' the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said on Telegram, reporting no wounded. Ukraine is also stepping up its drone attacks on Russia, targeting military production and bases. Russian air defences intercepted and destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones in five regions overnight into Wednesday, Moscow's defence ministry said on Telegram. On Tuesday, one person was killed and four others wounded in a drone attack that destroyed a convenience store in the Russian region of Belgorod, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Nevertheless, the two sides carried out a second prisoner of war swap on Tuesday. The deal should see the freeing of all captured soldiers under the age of 25, as well as those who are sick or severely wounded, though neither side has specified the number of soldiers involved. But Zelenskyy has said it is 'pointless' to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation – who he previously dismissed as 'empty heads' — since they could not agree to a ceasefire. As a condition for halting its invasion, Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede the territories Moscow says it has annexed and forswear joining NATO. It has also rejected a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire sought by Kyiv and the European Union, arguing that this would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm with Western deliveries. Ukraine is demanding a complete Russian withdrawal of from its territory and security guarantees from the West. - © AFP 2025
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Ukraine says Russian strikes hit Kharkiv, killing two
Fresh Russian strikes on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv have killed two people and wounded 60 including children, authorities said, as Moscow pushed ahead with its relentless attacks after rejecting an unconditional ceasefire. "Seventeen strikes by enemy UAVs (drones) were carried out in two districts of the city tonight," Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said on Telegram. Police said a 65-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were killed in the shelling and 60 others wounded, including nine children. Russia has escalated its bombardments of Ukraine despite US President Donald Trump urging Moscow to end its three-year invasion, with Kyiv launching retaliatory attacks deep inside Russian territory. After a previous overnight barrage of more than 300 drones and seven missiles yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Kyiv's Western allies to respond with "concrete action". "Action from America, which has the power to force Russia into peace. Action from Europe, which has no alternative but to be strong," Mr Zelensky wrote on social media. Peace talks in Turkey last week failed to yield a breakthrough towards ending the conflict, with Russia rejecting calls for an unconditional ceasefire and demanding Ukraine give up its territory and bid to join NATO. But the two sides agreed to swap more than 1,000 prisoners of war and hand over the bodies of dead soldiers, swapping groups of captured soldiers over the last two days. Prisoner exchanges Kharkhiv, which lies less than 50 kilometres from the Russian border, has been hit by a surge in large-scale nighttime attacks over the past week. The latest strikes left a five-story building on fire in Slobidskyi district, while several houses were hit in Osnovyansky district, Mayor Terekhov said. The attacks came after Russia pummelled Kharkiv on Saturday in what Mr Terekhov called "the most powerful attack" on the city since the start of the war. Four people were killed and more than 50 wounded as homes and apartment blocks were hit overnight and guided bombs were dropped on the city on Saturday afternoon. Russian strikes also hit the southern port city of Odesa earlier, Ukrainian emergency services said. "Tonight, Russia attacked Odesa region. Summer houses, outbuildings, cars and civilian watercraft were destroyed and damaged," the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said on Telegram, reporting no wounded. Ukraine is also stepping up its drone attacks on Russia, targeting military production and bases. Russian air defences intercepted and destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones in five regions overnight, Moscow's defence ministry said on Telegram. Yesterday, one person was killed and four others wounded in a drone attack that destroyed a convenience store in the Russian region of Belgorod, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Nevertheless, the two sides carried out a second prisoner of war swap yesterday. The deal should see the freeing of all captured soldiers under the age of 25, as well as those who are sick or severely wounded, though neither side has specified the number of soldiers involved. But Mr Zelensky has said it is "pointless" to hold further talks with the current Russian delegation - who he previously dismissed as "empty heads" - since they could not agree to a ceasefire. As a condition for halting its invasion, Russia has demanded that Ukraine cede the territories Moscow says it has annexed and forswear joining NATO. It has also rejected a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire sought by Kyiv and the European Union, arguing that this would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm with Western deliveries.
