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Soldiers

Ukraine Completes Final Stage of Body Repatriation, Calls for Cooperation Amid Ongoing Hostilities

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The last stage of the return of bodies of Ukrainians by Russia is complete, with over 6,000 bodies repatriated, according to Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. This marks one of the largest exchanges since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. The agreement was reached during peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month. Despite this development, Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko has accused Russia of deliberately hindering the identification of fallen soldiers by returning bodies in severely mutilated condition.

Key Takeaways:

  • The last stage of the return of bodies of Ukrainians by Russia is complete, with over 6,000 bodies repatriated, marking one of the largest exchanges since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.
  • The agreement was reached during peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month, representing a rare instance of cooperation on a large scale amid ongoing hostilities.
  • Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko accused Russia of deliberately hindering the identification of fallen soldiers by returning bodies in severely mutilated condition.
  • Russia confirmed the handover of 1,245 bodies, bringing the total returned so far to 6,000, with an additional 2,239 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen being prepared for return.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Austria on Monday for his first trip of the war, marking a significant visit to a non-NATO member country that has provided significant financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
  • Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Austrian leaders and travel to the G7 summit in Canada, where he will meet with US President Donald Trump.

Statistics:

  • 6,000+ bodies of Ukrainian soldiers have been repatriated as part of the agreement.
  • 185 Russian soldiers have been identified among the repatriated bodies.
  • £300 million ($347 million) in bilateral financial and humanitarian aid has been provided by Austria to Ukraine and neighboring countries.
  • 1,245 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were returned as part of the last stage of the repatriation agreement.
  • 6,000 bodies have been repatriated in total since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.

Sources:

  • Defence Minister Rustem Umerov
  • Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko
  • Russia's defense ministry
  • Vienna.at
  • G7 summit 2023
  • Ukrainian government

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