**Ukraine Receives Bodies of 1,212 Fallen Servicemen**
In a somber and significant development, Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 1,212 fallen servicemen. This news was shared by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. The remains were brought back from various regions, including Kursk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
**Efforts to Identify the Deceased**
The repatriated bodies will be sent to state forensic institutions for examination. The primary goal is to identify the deceased as quickly as possible, giving their families some closure. This process is crucial in providing a sense of justice and respect for those who have lost their lives defending Ukraine.
**Background on Prisoner Exchanges**
These developments occurred under agreements between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul. Prior to this, two rounds of prisoner exchanges had already taken place. The first exchange involved the return of Ukrainian defenders under 25 years old, followed by a second exchange where seriously wounded and ill servicemen were brought back.
**A Long-Overdue Step**
The “1,000 for 1,000” prisoner exchange agreement was reached during talks in Istanbul on May 16. This agreement marked a significant step towards resolving the issue of captive soldiers. Over three stages from May 23 to May 25, this prisoner swap was carried out, releasing hundreds of Ukrainians.
**A Total of 6,293 Released**
Since March 2022, Ukraine has seen the release of 5,757 citizens through these exchanges and other means. An additional 536 individuals have been returned outside of formal prisoner swaps. This number demonstrates a gradual progress towards resolving the issue of captive soldiers.
Iryna Sitnikova
