Ukraine violates pledge by failing to come to border to swap POWs, bodies of fallen soldiers: Russia

MOSCOW

Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation to peace talks with Ukraine, said on Saturday that Kyiv has unexpectedly delayed exchanging prisoners of war (POWs) and bodies of fallen soldiers.

Medinsky said on Telegram that, in accordance with the Istanbul agreements, the Russian side began a humanitarian operation on June 6 to transfer over 6,000 bodies of deceased servicemen, as well as to exchange wounded, critically ill, and prisoners of war under the age of 25.

"The first batch of 1,212 frozen soldier corpses of Ukraine's armed forces has already arrived in refrigerated trucks at the exchange site. Additional shipments are on the way. In addition, Ukraine was handed the first list of 640 prisoners of war falling into the categories of 'wounded, critically ill, and young adults' to start the exchange," he said.

According to the Istanbul agreements, exchanges had to begin on Saturday. The Russian Defense Ministry's contact group has arrived at the Ukrainian border and is currently staying there, he said.

However, the Ukrainian side unexpectedly postponed both body acceptance and the exchange of prisoners of war indefinitely, he noted.

"Their negotiating team, for unknown reasons, has not even arrived at the exchange location. Various explanations are cited, and they sound rather strange," he said.

Medinsky urged Kyiv to strictly adhere to the agreed-upon schedule, fulfill all commitments, and immediately begin the exchange.

"Let the 1,200 soldiers and officers from each side, as we agreed, finally have a chance to return home. We call upon you to finally take back the bodies of 6,000 soldiers and officers of Ukraine's armed forces so that their families can lay them to rest with dignity. We are on-site. We are fully prepared to act," he said.

Medinsky added that international TV channels, news agencies, and correspondents are welcome to come and verify that everything is as stated.

"Russia always keeps its promises," he concluded.

Ukraine has not yet provided any comments on the situation.