**Ukraine and Russia Exchange Prisoners, Bodies of Fallen Soldiers**
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, both countries have exchanged prisoners-of-war (POWs) and bodies of fallen soldiers. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, Russia handed over 1,200 dead Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv on Saturday.
This move comes as part of agreements reached by the warring sides during talks in Istanbul earlier this month. Ukraine has confirmed that it received the bodies of its soldiers killed in action, but the details of the exchange are somewhat murky.
**Russia’s Claims Contradict Ukrainian Statement**
Russian state media reported that Moscow had not received any of its war dead back from Kyiv, echoing a statement made by Russia on Friday. This assertion is at odds with Ukraine’s earlier confirmation of receiving the bodies of its soldiers. It remains unclear what exactly transpired in these prisoner exchanges.
**Details of Prisoner Swap Remain Unclear**
The Russian Defence Ministry did not provide details on how many POWs were involved in the swap with Ukraine, only stating that Russian soldiers are currently undergoing medical treatment in Belarus before being transferred back to Russia. The ministry posted a video showing its soldiers holding flags and cheering before boarding a bus.
This prisoner exchange marks another attempt at de-escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, but it remains unclear what implications this move will have on the ongoing conflict.
