Found an error?
Report now
HANDOUT - Open refrigerated truck transporting bodies of Ukrainian soldiers. Photo: ---/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP/dpa/Archive photo
Keystone
According to information from Kiev, Ukraine has once again received hundreds of soldiers' bodies back from Russia. The mortal remains of 528 fallen soldiers, who according to the Russian side could be Ukrainian soldiers, have been handed over to Kiev, according to the Ukrainian staff for prisoner of war affairs. The International Committee of the Red Cross acted as intermediary.
There was initially no confirmation from the Russian side. However, the state news agency Tass had reported the previous day that the bodies of soldiers were also to be exchanged. According to sources, Moscow will return 526 dead Ukrainian soldiers and receive 41 Russian bodies.
The number of dead Ukrainians in such exchanges has always been significantly higher in recent years. The reason for this is that the Russian army was constantly advancing and the retreating Ukrainian army was often unable to recover its dead.
A major prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kiev had begun the previous day. The exchange of a total of 1,000 prisoners of war was part of the agreement on a ceasefire from 9 to 11 May brokered by US President Donald Trump. The ceasefire primarily protected the military parade to commemorate Russia's World War II victory on May 9. Russia has been waging a destructive war of aggression against Ukraine for more than four years.
16.05.2026, 12:03
