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Ukraine repatriates bodies of soldiers killed by Russia

Ukraine repatriates bodies of soldiers killed by Russia

Ukraine said it has repatriated more than 1,200 bodies of soldiers killed in the war launched by Russia more than three years ago. The return of the bodies was part of a series of recent exchanges of prisoners of war and dead between the sides.

"As a result of repatriation measures, the bodies of 1,212 fallen defenders have been returned to Ukraine," the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement on June 11.

The agency responsible for the exchange of prisoners of war said the troops were returned with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The agency did not provide further details about the exchange, saying it was still in the process of identifying the bodies. The exchange is part of an agreement with Russia, under which prisoners of war have been transported by bus to both sides of the border.

Russia's chief negotiator at the peace talks held in Istanbul on June 2, where the swap agreement was reached, said on June 11 that Russia has accepted 27 troops from Ukraine.

The agreement aims to repatriate the bodies of some 12,000 soldiers killed during the war. Although the talks in Istanbul produced an agreement on a prisoner exchange, they made no progress towards ending the conflict.

Kiev has expressed readiness to accept the United States' proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Moscow has opposed the idea and stated that certain conditions - unacceptable to Ukraine - must be met beforehand.

Earlier this week, the two sides exchanged prisoners of war under the age of 25. Among those released were members of the navy, ground forces, territorial defense forces, air force, national guard, and others./REL

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