Body swap between Ukraine and Russia could begin next week, intel chief
Photo: Ukraine's Defense Intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The exchange of bodies of deceased soldiers between Ukraine and Russia is scheduled to begin next week. Ukraine continues to prepare for the exchange despite pressure from Moscow, according to the Defense Intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov.
He emphasized that Ukraine is facing informational pressure and Russian attempts to unilaterally dictate the parameters of the exchange process. Budanov stated that who, when, and how to exchange must not be decided unilaterally, and that pressure and manipulation are unacceptable.
"Particularly cynical are the attempts of certain Russian propagandists to speculate on human grief, to which they themselves are connected. All the more, on the great holiday of Trinity, which we are celebrating today," Budanov wrote.
The Coordination Headquarters is working on organizing the exchange, which is based on the agreements reached in Istanbul, he added.
"The beginning of repatriation measures following the negotiations in Istanbul is scheduled for next week, about which authorized individuals were informed back on Tuesday. Everything is proceeding according to plan, despite the enemy’s dirty informational game," he added.
Prisoner exchange
During the negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, the delegations of Ukraine and Russia agreed on a second large-scale prisoner exchange. Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, reported that the sides agreed to exchange all severely wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war, as well as all military personnel aged 18 to 25.
Ukraine and Russia also agreed on the return of 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers from each side. Ukraine also handed over to the Russians a list of several hundred children who had been deported to Russia.
However, Russia has repeatedly claimed that the process of handing over bodies has allegedly begun and accused Ukraine of postponing the exchange. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War emphasized that the Russian claims were fake.
Ukraine submitted lists for the exchange compiled in accordance with the agreements. However, the lists provided by Russia do not correspond to the agreed approach. As for the repatriation of bodies, the date for the exchange had not been agreed upon.
