The alternate of the our bodies of deceased troopers, agreed upon throughout Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, is scheduled for subsequent week, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s navy intelligence chief (HUR), mentioned on June 8.
"The beginning of repatriation measures following the negotiations in Istanbul is scheduled for subsequent week, as licensed individuals have been knowledgeable on Tuesday (June 3)," Budanov posted on Telegram.
Budanov's assertion comes only a day after Russia claimed {that a} prisoner swap had failed resulting from Ukraine's fault — an accusation Kyiv denied.
Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Remedy of Prisoners of Warfare (POW) mentioned on June 7 that preparations for the alternate of our bodies have been underway, though no particular date had been confirmed.
Budanov condemned Russian propaganda efforts surrounding the matter.
"The makes an attempt of some Russian propagandists to capitalize on human struggling, which they themselves are chargeable for, sound significantly cynical," he mentioned. "Particularly on the nice feast of Pentecost, which we’re celebrating in the present day."
On June 7, Russian media printed a video displaying fridges allegedly containing the our bodies of fallen Ukrainian troopers, claiming that they had been delivered for alternate.
POW Coordination Headquarters deputy head Andrii Yusov instructed Ukrainian Pravda that the footage had been filmed inside Russia and never at a chosen alternate web site.
In line with Budanov, Ukraine continues to honor the phrases agreed through the June 2 Istanbul talks regardless of mounting Russian data strain and makes an attempt to impose unilateral circumstances.
On the Istanbul assembly, each side agreed to a brand new spherical of prisoner exchanges involving severely wounded personnel and people aged 18 to 25.
Russia additionally pledged at hand over 6,000 our bodies of deceased Ukrainian troopers and officers. President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned on June 4 that the repatriation would comply with the subsequent POW swap.
The June 2 negotiations marked the second direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, after an earlier session on Could 16. Whereas no ceasefire or political settlement was reached, each rounds led to agreements on humanitarian measures.
Ukraine and Russia carried out the most important prisoner swap of the full-scale conflict from Could 23 to 25, exchanging 1,000 captives every.
Ukraine has repeatedly urged Moscow to undertake an "all-for-all" prisoner alternate formulation. Whereas over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022, Russia continues to withstand a complete swap.
Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us 