Only 15% of 6000 bodies offered by Russia have been identified – Zelenskyy
3 June 17:45
During talks in Istanbul on June 2, the Russian side announced its readiness to hand over 6,000 bodies of fallen defenders to Ukraine. Only 15% of the bodies offered were identified, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to the president, the Russians also expressed their readiness to make an exchange – the Ukrainian side agreed to hand over the same number of enemy bodies.
However, this issue requires careful consideration, and the president outlined his requirements to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
“Only 15% of the 6000 bodies of our soldiers have been identified. It is extremely important to verify all the information. We must take all of ours, because there has already been a case when even our own dead, as well as Russian soldiers, were handed over in exchange,” Zelensky said.
He also added that at the initial stages, the Russian invaders did not take their dead from the battlefield, and then partially changed their tactics.
“The exchange of bodies is of great importance. Our side will closely monitor the process and act if necessary,” the President summarized.
As of June 2025, the exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers between Ukraine and Russia remains a complicated and painful process.
Ukraine has repeatedly faced refusals and delays from Russia in the process of repatriating the bodies. For example, on May 15, Russia unreasonably refused to hand over the remains of Ukrainian defenders, which indicates a systematic blocking of humanitarian procedures. The Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War emphasizes that the return of bodies for burial is a humanitarian mission that should not be subject to political manipulation.
After receiving the bodies, the Ukrainian side conducts a forensic medical examination, including DNA analysis, to identify the deceased. This is necessary because there have been cases when bodies were handed over with incorrect identification data. After identification, the bodies are handed over to the families for a decent burial.
Thus, the process of body exchange remains complex and requires constant attention and efforts from the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that the fallen heroes return home with dignity.
