**Ukraine Repatriates Bodies of 1,200 Citizens and Soldiers**
A massive repatriation effort has been carried out by Ukraine, with the country bringing back the remains of over 1,200 fallen service members. This move comes after recent peace talks in Istanbul, where Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed to release the bodies of some 6,000 Ukrainians.
The operation was coordinated by the headquarters, working closely with various state and defense agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ombudsman’s Office, the military, and the Interior Ministry. The International Committee of the Red Cross also provided assistance in this effort.
While it is not immediately clear whether Ukraine released the bodies of Russian soldiers in return, a previous exchange on June 11 saw Moscow repatriate the remains of 27 Russian service members. This latest repatriation marks another significant step towards resolving the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
**The Context: Peace Talks and Prisoner Swaps**
The recent peace talks in Istanbul led to several key agreements, including a new exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) between the two sides. However, despite these efforts, a ceasefire agreement could not be reached. Despite this, the talks did lead to the most extensive prisoner swap in late May, with 1,000 captives on each side being released.
The exchanges continued this week, focusing on severely ill and wounded soldiers, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian concerns in the conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these efforts will impact the wider conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
