Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the completion of body repatriation under the Istanbul agreements, with over 6,000 bodies of the fallen returned to Ukrainian territory.

According to Umerov’s social media statement, 16 June marked the final stage of body repatriation in this format. The minister reports that since last week, when the Istanbul agreements began implementation, Ukraine managed to return over 6,000 bodies.

“All of them undergo identification. Because behind each one is a name, a life, a family waiting for an answer,” Umerov said. “I thank everyone who daily did this difficult but necessary work. We do not stop. Ahead is the next stage: we continue the fight for the return of prisoners. We return. We remember…”

The repatriation follows negotiations held in Istanbul on 2 June, where Ukraine and Russia agreed on a “6,000 for 6,000” exchange of fallen soldiers’ bodies. The Ukrainian and Russian delegations also reached an agreement on an “all for all” exchange of severely wounded and young military personnel aged 18 to 25.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously said that of the 6,000 military bodies Russia intended to transfer to Ukraine, only 15% were identified.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine has returned 15,801 bodies of the fallen as of 16 June. This figure includes 9,744 bodies as of May 2025, plus five stages of repatriations in June.

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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. 

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.

Despite the US’s absence, the Ramstein meeting on 4 June kicked off a new era of military aid for Ukraine, with billions in investments and joint weapons production.

Ramstein moves forward without the US 

For the first time since the group’s creation, the US Secretary of Defense was absent from the meeting. 

The Pentagon explained that Pete Hegseth had a tight schedule, writes ArmyInform. He also won’t attend today’s NATO–Ukraine Council meeting, although he did arrive for the NATO ministerial and attended the Alliance’s headquarters on the morning of 5 June.

Nevertheless, the meeting results demonstrate that the rest of the allies remain committed to supporting Ukraine militarily, as confirmed by the announcement of new aid packages.

Ukraine and allies won’t just share weapons

The central takeaway from the Contact Group meeting was the agreement to create a joint defense production mechanism. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the concept came from partners offering to help establish defense production involving Ukrainian companies.

“Our partners are ready to fully finance the production, and the products made under Ukrainian licenses will be sent to Ukraine as long as the war continues,” he explained.

During the discussions, however, the plan evolved into mutual investment: Ukrainian manufacturers will be able to invest in partner countries, while companies from these countries will be able to build large-scale factories in Ukraine.

Umerov noted that the idea is still new, with details under discussion and no official name yet.

“We’re calling it ‘Ramstein investments in the defense industry,’ but this is a strategic breakthrough,” the minister emphasized.

There are already specific agreements on joint production:

• A Western European company announced it will produce modern anti-Shahed missiles in Ukraine,
• The UK and Ukraine will jointly manufacture LMM missiles and launchers,
• Rheinmetall is building cutting-edge Lynx combat vehicles in Ukraine,
• Ukrainian companies are producing ammunition under Nammo licenses,
• SAAB, Kongsberg, KNDS, FFG, and Raytheon are all expanding their presence in Ukraine.

The SAAB produces Gripen fighter jets, Raytheon manufactures Patriot missiles, the only type capable of intercepting Russia’s ballistic missiles, KNDS makes missiles for NASAMS, and FFG is notable for supplying military vehicles and equipment, including contributing Leopard 1A5 tanks. 

“Ukrainian drones have changed the situation on the battlefield, and now they will change how Ramstein countries prepare for future threats,” Umerov stated.

100,000 drones and a record £4.5 billion in aid

Before the session even began, London announced a new aid package with a special focus on drones: 100,000 drones for Ukraine’s Defense Forces by the end of 2025, ten times more than last year, with record investments of £350 million.

Additionally, 140,000 artillery shells have already been delivered. Another £247 million will go toward training Ukrainian troops as part of Operation Interflex, which has already trained 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

German long-range weapons to be built on Ukrainian soil

Germany, in turn, confirmed its previously announced €5 billion military aid package. It includes funding for long-range weapons to be produced in Ukraine, as well as the delivery of air defense systems, weapons, and ammunition.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assured that supporting Ukraine remains a priority both for the new German government and for him personally.

War at Sea: Netherlands, Canada, and Belgium expand maritime and electronic warfare fronts

Support for Ukraine goes far beyond just two countries. The Netherlands is focusing on maritime security: €400 million will go toward a mine countermeasure ship, boats, and maritime drones for Ukraine.

Norway is prioritizing support for Ukraine’s defense industry, allocating $700 million for drones and contributing $50 million to the NSATU fund.

Canada will provide $45 million for drones, electronic warfare equipment, and will send Coyote and Bison armored vehicles to Ukraine.

Belgium, which hosted Ramstein for the second time, announced a long-term initiative — committing to €1 billion annually in aid to Ukraine through 2029 and the delivery of a mine countermeasure vessel.

Sweden allocated €440 million for international programs to purchase artillery shells, drones, and other weaponry for Ukraine.

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."

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The Kyiv IndependentChris York

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. 

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. 

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that Russia has completed drafting a memorandum outlining steps toward a ceasefire but continues to delay its delivery.

Russians bullied and threatened Ukraine in Istanbul — but Putin banned his men from one move

According to Umerov’s post on Facebook, the Russian side initially attempted to postpone the memorandum process entirely. However, pressure from President Trump, European leaders, and President Zelenskyy demonstrated unified international support for peace in Ukraine, prompting Russia to complete the document. Despite finishing the draft, Russia has not yet delivered the memorandum to Ukrainian officials.

Umerov confirmed that Ukraine has already provided its position document to the head of the Russian delegation.

“We reaffirm Ukraine’s readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire and continued diplomatic engagement,” he stated.

“We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their ‘memorandum,’ so that the meeting won’t be empty and can truly move us closer to ending the war,” Umerov added.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed these concerns, calling on Russia to immediately deliver its memorandum rather than waiting until Monday.

“We expect that the Russian side will not disrupt the next meeting and will immediately submit their proposals for our consideration, as was agreed earlier,” Sybiha stated.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Umerov had contacted Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky to inquire about the memorandum’s delivery timeline.

“They assured us: ‘It will come, it will come.’ But we never received anything. No one did. We reached out to the USA — they are also waiting. Everyone is waiting,” Zelenskyy said.

Medinsky disputed this account, claiming he had initiated the conversation and proposed a specific date and location for exchanging memorandums.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently announced that Russia proposes holding a second round of negotiations on 2 June in Istanbul, where the Russian delegation would present its ceasefire conditions.

Umerov emphasized that Russia has four days remaining before their delegation’s departure to provide the document for review, warning against attempts to make meetings destructive rather than productive.

Earlier, three Russian sources with knowledge of negotiations shared with Reuters what the Kremlin demands from Ukraine to end the war. President Putin had set forth specific conditions, including:

• written guarantees from Western leaders to halt “NATO’s eastward expansion”, effectively excluding Ukraine, Georgia, and other former Soviet states from membership
• Ukraine adopting a neutral status
• partial lifting of Western sanctions
• resolution of frozen Russian assets abroad
• protections for Russian speakers in Ukraine.

Ukraine rejects any veto over its NATO aspirations and insists on strong Western security guarantees, with President Zelenskyy emphasizing that no agreements about Ukraine’s future will be accepted without its direct involvement.