Top negotiator claims Russia has satisfied Istanbul vows
(MENAFN) Russia has fulfilled its commitment to return the bodies of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, according to Vladimir Medinsky, Moscow’s chief negotiator in the Ukraine conflict. Medinsky announced on Telegram that Russia has repatriated 6,060 sets of military remains, while Kiev has returned 78 bodies of Russian soldiers.
This exchange was agreed upon during direct talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Türkiye in June. At that time, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov indicated that Kiev would return a matching number of Russian casualties.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated that Ukraine lost up to 100,000 troops since the 2022 escalation, while Russian defense figures suggest Ukrainian losses are much higher, especially in 2024.
The handover process faced delays when Ukraine initially refused to accept the first batch of remains on June 7, criticizing Russia for moving too quickly. However, the exchange resumed the next day and has been ongoing since.
Currently, Ukraine relies on mandatory conscription for men aged 25 and older to replenish its forces and is considering extending eligibility to men over 60. The mobilization effort faces challenges from widespread draft evasion and corruption within military recruitment ranks.
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