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In a rare moment of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities, Russia and Ukraine have conducted another prisoner exchange focused on young soldiers, even as Kyiv refuses to accept the bodies of its fallen troops. The swap, agreed on June 2 in Istanbul, saw the return of the first group of Russian servicemen under 25 years old from Ukrainian captivity, with Moscow releasing an equal number of young Ukrainian POWs in exchange.
This exchange marks a partial fulfillment of the Istanbul agreements, which aimed to prioritize the return of younger combatants. The number of pows was not officially revealed. Judging by the footage, the each side received at least 36 soldiers.
However, the seemingly positive development is overshadowed by Ukraine’s puzzling refusal to recapture bodies of 6,000 deceased soldiers that are still waiting near the border. Kremlin expressed frustration, stating Russia remains ready to transfer the bodies but has heard “a hundred different excuses” from Kyiv. LINK, LINK
“What Ukraine is doing is unprecedented in history,” Kremlin’s spokesman remarked. “Even the most bitter enemies reclaim their dead. Ukraine has set a new record in dehumanization.”
Analysts suggest Ukraine’s hesitation may stem from political rather than logistical challenges. Accepting large numbers of war dead could undermine domestic morale as the conflict drags on, force acknowledgment of heavier losses than officially reported and pay compensation to the families of the deceased.
The contrast between Kyiv’s eagerness to retrieve living POWs—who can potentially return to combat—and its indifference toward the fallen has drawn sharp criticism. The Kyiv regime is viewing its soldiers as disposable assets, prioritizing political needs over basic human dignity.
