In brief
Ukraine has confirmed the return of 1,000 soldiers' bodies in an exchange with Russia, which received 38 bodies in return. This swap follows an agreement made in Istanbul in 2025, part of ongoing negotiations between the two nations as they look towards a possible peace deal amidst continued warfare.
The bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been returned by Russia, Kyiv has confirmed, in a significant exchange amidst the ongoing conflict between the two nations. In return, Russia received the bodies of 38 soldiers, as detailed by Moscow's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky.
Medinsky shared a photo on Telegram apparently depicting the exchange process, showing individuals in biohazard suits beside a line of white refrigerated trucks used for transportation.
This exchange is part of a broader series of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, which have seen thousands of soldiers' bodies returned over the nearly four-year-long conflict. The latest swap occurred under an agreement reached during discussions in Istanbul last year, which outlined a commitment to return 12,000 soldiers' bodies, along with sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war.
Previously, in November, Russia returned 1,000 bodies to Ukraine and received 30 in exchange. However, there have been no prisoner exchanges since October 2025, with both sides accusing each other of delays.
As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches next month, diplomatic efforts continue amid ongoing military actions, including recent drone strikes that killed several in Ukraine. Key discussions involving Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. negotiators have taken place, but major territorial disputes remain unresolved.
Recent Russian airstrikes have heightened the urgency of these negotiations, as areas in Ukraine face challenges with heating and power supply during the winter months.
