MOSCOW : In a somber development in the ongoing Russia Ukraine war, Moscow has returned the remains of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv, while Ukraine handed over the bodies of 35 Russian troops, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The exchange marks one of the few continuing areas of cooperation in the prolonged Russia Ukraine conflict, now entering its fourth year.
Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, announced the transfer on social media, stating that the bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers were returned to Ukrainian authorities, and in exchange, Russia received the remains of 35 of its servicemen. He shared an image showing workers in protective white suits and blue gloves carefully unloading a body bag from a refrigerated truck.
Despite intense fighting and strained diplomatic relations, both sides have consistently carried out soldier body exchanges, reflecting a rare channel of communication amid the war.
The full-scale conflict began in February 2022, when Moscow launched its military offensive against Ukraine. Since then, hundreds of thousands of soldiers are believed to have been killed, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in Europe in recent decades.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes. Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine were in Geneva on Thursday for separate discussions with U.S. officials. The talks are part of a broader and complex negotiation effort aimed at finding a pathway to end the fighting.
As the Russia Ukraine war grinds on, humanitarian gestures like body exchanges offer brief moments of cooperation in an otherwise devastating conflict.
Source: BBC & Arab News