**Russia’s Shameful Secret: Returning Bodies of Own Soldiers as Ukrainian Casualties**
In a shocking revelation, Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko has announced that Russia had handed over some bodies of its own soldiers to Ukraine under the guise of Ukrainian casualties during a recent exchange of the deceased. This disturbing discovery was made after the handover of remains under an agreement reached during the June 2 talks in Istanbul.
**A Gruesome Discovery**
According to Klymenko, one of the bodies returned to Ukraine was dressed in a Russian military uniform and carried a Russian passport issued to Alexander Viktorovich Bugaev. Officials found a military ID indicating that Bugaev had served in the 1st Battalion of the 39th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade. It is believed that Bugaev went missing during heavy fighting near Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast in March 2025, and his family had been searching for him for months.
**A Sickening Precedent**
Klymenko’s announcement has sparked outrage, with many questioning the morality of Russia’s actions. “This is yet another proof of how Russia treats its people with contempt, throwing their bodies onto the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers,” Klymenko said. “This shows how little human life means to Russia. Or maybe it’s just a way to avoid paying compensation to the families.” The Interior Minister has vowed that Ukraine will return these bodies, despite Russia’s attempts to sweep this under the rug.
**A Larger Issue**
The June 2 negotiations in Istanbul resulted in the most expansive prisoner and body exchange agreement of the full-scale war, although no ceasefire was reached. Russia accused Kyiv on June 7 of rejecting a proposed body return, publishing footage allegedly showing Ukrainian corpses stored in refrigeration units. Ukraine dismissed these claims, saying the footage was filmed on Russian territory.
**A Call for Accountability**
Kyiv has consistently called for an “all-for-all” exchange of prisoners of war, but Moscow has so far refused to agree to a comprehensive swap. The discovery of Russia’s shameful secret highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in international negotiations. As Klymenko said, “We are returning these bodies,” but it remains to be seen whether this will bring an end to the suffering of families on both sides.
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