Russia hands over 1,000 bodies, Ukraine 19 bodies of fallen soldiers

Moscow [Russia], August 20: Russia has returned the bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers, chief Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said on Tuesday. In exchange, Ukraine handed over the remains of 19 Russian soldiers, Medinsky added in comments made on Telegram. Kiev confirmed it had received the bodies.
The war launched by Russia, now in its fourth year, has claimed tens of thousands of soldiers' lives on both sides.
Following talks in Istanbul in May, several prisoner exchanges have taken place in recent months.
Moscow has also pledged to return the bodies of thousands of soldiers. Russia said it had returned 7,000 bodies before the latest handover, while claiming Ukraine has transferred fewer than 100 in total.
Moscow portrays this as proof that Ukraine has suffered far higher battlefield losses. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune