Russia returned 1,212 bodies to Ukraine on Saturday. In return, Ukraine released the bodies of 27 Russians who died in the war. The Red Cross assisted with the transfer.
The bodies were transported in refrigerated wagons. The Ukrainian dead come from various regions, such as Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson. The authorities will identify the bodies as quickly as possible.
According to the Ukrainian and Russian authorities involved, it mainly concerns fallen soldiers. Prisoners were also exchanged again on Saturday, mainly young people and wounded.
Approximately 3,600 deceased Ukrainians have already been handed over during the week. The return is part of agreements that Ukraine and Russia made in Istanbul earlier this month.
The prisoner exchanges do not always proceed smoothly. Last Saturday, a transfer was delayed. Both countries accused each other of failing to fulfill agreements.