Russia Returns Over 6,000 Ukrainian Soldiers' Bodies

Russia has returned over 6,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine as part of a major repatriation deal reached during early June talks in Istanbul. The latest transfer of 1,245 bodies concluded this phase, with Russia stating it is prepared to return an additional 2,239 bodies. The International Committee of the Red Cross helped coordinate the handover, marking the largest such exchange since the 2022 invasion began. Ukraine has returned the remains of 78 Russian soldiers under the same arrangements. Both countries continue prisoner exchanges, though no comprehensive POW swap or ceasefire has been agreed. Identification of the returned bodies is ongoing as fighting persists.