Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s lead negotiator at the Istanbul talks, confirmed the exchange via Telegram, calling it “a humanitarian step rooted in mutual respect for the fallen.” The RIA state news agency cited unnamed sources saying Moscow intends to hand over a total of 3,000 Ukrainian bodies in stages.

The exchange is one of several recent confidence-building measures aimed at maintaining limited dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow, even as battlefield conditions remain tense and broader ceasefire efforts stall.

Repatriations Resume After Years-Long Pause

The latest exchange follows a renewed series of prisoner and body swaps after both sides resumed peace negotiations in May, ending a three-year suspension in direct talks. Analysts say such humanitarian gestures, while limited in scope, can offer pathways to broader agreements if sustained over time.

Video and photo evidence released by Russian outlets showed trucks transporting coffins at an undisclosed location, further underscoring the quiet and sensitive nature of the operation. Ukrainian authorities have not yet publicly commented on the exchange but previously indicated they are committed to retrieving all their fallen.