As part of a painful but vital repatriation process, Ukraine has reportedly received another 1,200 bodies of fallen soldiers from Russia, part of an agreement brokered in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (CHTPW) announces.
The return is part of an agreement reached in Istanbul on 2 June, which provides for the exchange of 6,000 bodies on each side. No other deal was reached at the talks regarding a ceasefire or the end of the war.
As part of a painful but vital repatriation process, Ukraine has reportedly received another 1,200 bodies of fallen soldiers from Russia, part of an agreement brokered in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (CHTPW) announces.
The return is part of an agreement reached in Istanbul on 2 June, which provides for the exchange of 6,000 bodies on each side. No other deal was reached at the talks regarding a ceasefire or the end of the war.
This exchange follows two earlier repatriations on 13 June and 11 June, during which 1,200 and 1,212 bodies, respectively, were returned to Ukraine.
According to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, this exchange symbolizes a necessary step toward restoring dignity to fallen defenders.
“An agreement was reached to return 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers in exchange for 6,000,” he explains.
In the coming days, Ukrainian law enforcement, forensic teams from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and other agencies will conduct examinations and procedures to return names to those unidentified.
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Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on June 2 slammed Russia for only providing its memorandum of a peace proposal at talks earlier in the day, saying that "the Russians are once again stalling for time.""(I)f this is just another attempt to buy time, then there should be one response: tougher international sanctions," Umerov said in a post to Facebook."Our documents were submitted in advance. In contrast, the Russian 'memorandum' appeared only today — during the meeting itself. This created conditio
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on June 2 slammed Russia for only providing its memorandum of a peace proposal at talks earlier in the day, saying that "the Russians are once again stalling for time."
"(I)f this is just another attempt to buy time, then there should be one response: tougher international sanctions," Umerov said in a post to Facebook.
"Our documents were submitted in advance. In contrast, the Russian 'memorandum' appeared only today — during the meeting itself. This created conditions that prevented the meeting from delivering the results needed to end the war," he added.
Ukraine and Russia held another round of peace talks on June 2, after their first meeting in Istanbul on May 16. Both rounds of talks were largely inconclusive, with Russia reiterating its rejection of a ceasefire.
Umerov attended the peace negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, leading Ukraine's 14-member delegation, which included several figures from Ukraine's military, human rights, and legal sectors. Umerov also led Ukraine's 12-member delegation on May 16.
"We conveyed the positions formulated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One of the key points — an unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days. This has been our principle and the position of our partners for many months," Umerov said.
Russia only proposed a temporary two- to three-day ceasefire in specific areas of the front line to allow for the retrieval of fallen soldiers' bodies.
"Russia rejects even the very idea of stopping the killings. That’s why we appeal to the world: pressure is needed for real peace, not for an imitation of negotiations," Umerov said.
At the first round of peace talks, both sides agreed to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, which took place from May 23-25.
On June 2, Ukraine and Russia agreed to work on another prisoner exchange with up to 1,200 captives from each side.
Zelensky, later on June 2, criticized Russia’s proposal for a 2–3-day local ceasefire to retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, speaking during an online press conference attended by the Kyiv Independent.
Zelensky earlier on June 2 called on U.S. President Donald Trump to deliver a "strong new package" of sanctions against Russia if peace talks in Istanbul remain unsuccessful.
"If the Istanbul meeting brings nothing, that clearly means strong new sanctions are urgently needed — from the EU's 18th package, and from the United States specifically, the strongest sanctions President Trump promised," Zelensky said.
Trump on May 30 said that he was "very surprised" at Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities amid peace efforts.
The U.S. leader has repeatedly threatened additional sanctions against Russia, but has thus far refused to implement the measure.
Trump said on May 28 that the U.S. would soon know whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is committed to ending the war. If not, he warned, the White House would "respond a little bit differently."
6,000 for 6,000: Kyiv and Moscow have agreed on the largest exchange of fallen soldiers since the full-scale war began in the latest meeting in Istanbul.
On 2 June, the second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended without agreement on a ceasefire or peace deal, as both sides remain deeply divided on key issues. Meanwhile, the US has not taken new measures to compel Russia to stop its attacks.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who leads the Ukrainian delegati
6,000 for 6,000: Kyiv and Moscow have agreed on the largest exchange of fallen soldiers since the full-scale war began in the latest meeting in Istanbul.
On 2 June, the second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended without agreement on a ceasefire or peace deal, as both sides remain deeply divided on key issues. Meanwhile, the US has not taken new measures to compel Russia to stop its attacks.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who leads the Ukrainian delegation, has announced that the parties agreed on a new large-scale swap at the negotiations.
“We have agreed on exchanges. We will soon provide details,” he said after the talks.
According to the minister, the focus was on three key categories:
Severely wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war,
Young soldiers aged 18 to 25,
Bodies of fallen soldiers.
The sides have agreed on an “all-for-all” exchange principle for each category. This includes exchanging 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers for the same number from the Russian side.
In addition, the Ukrainian side handed over to Russia a list of several hundred kidnapped Ukrainian children who were illegally deported to Russia. Ukraine insists on their immediate return.
The negotiations ended following Ukraine’s biggest Spiderweb operation, which damaged or destroyed 40 Russian aircraft. Many military experts and officials have praised the strikes, calling them the future of modern warfare.
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.Become a Patron!
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