Budanov, Ukraine's spy chief, says that Russia is playing dirty games with the dead soldiers of Ukraine.

**Ukraine Insists Repatriation of Fallen Soldiers Will Proceed as Scheduled**

In a statement on Telegram, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has reassured the public that the repatriation of fallen Ukrainian soldiers will begin next week, despite Russian claims to the contrary. The move is seen as a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Budanov rejected Russian allegations that Ukraine was stalling the exchange, calling it a “dirty information campaign.” He emphasized that all relevant parties were informed in advance of the planned repatriation, which includes the return of wounded soldiers, prisoners, and up to 12,000 war dead. This comes after the second round of peace talks held in Istanbul on June 2 yielded only one concrete outcome: the exchange of bodies.

**Russia’s Pressure Tactics**

Over the weekend, Russian officials, including Vladimir Medinsky, a top aide to President Putin, and General Alexander Zorin, accused Ukraine of delaying the exchange. However, Budanov pushed back against these claims, accusing Russia of staging a propaganda stunt. He also noted that Ukraine had not set a specific handover date for the bodies.

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has also denied any confirmation of a final date and accused Russia of manipulation. The agency urged an end to what it called “dirty games” surrounding the humanitarian exchange.

**North Korea’s Involvement**

In a separate development, Ukraine’s intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has revealed that North Korea has been providing military assistance to Moscow, albeit discreetly. This information was shared with NV, and it is believed to have significant implications for the ongoing conflict.

Budanov’s statement serves as a reminder of the complex web of international relationships at play in this global crisis. As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the fate of those involved.