Russia has finalized the transfer of 6,060 Ukrainian soldier bodies, but thousands more remain unclaimed.This significant exchange, a key aspect of the Istanbul agreement, highlights the ongoing challenges in the Ukraine conflict, with the bodies now held in Russian morgues.While Russia cites this handover as a humanitarian step, Ukraine’s response is still pending, leaving families in a state of uncertainty regarding their loved ones. Misidentifications and logistical strains pose significant challenges. News Directory 3 is tracking the story. The next stage of the process hinges on Kyiv’s decision, wich may involve further negotiations and potentially renewed ceasefires to retrieve the remaining remains. Discover what’s next as the story unfolds.
Russia Completes Transfer of Ukrainian Soldiers; Kyiv’s Response Awaited
Updated June 24, 2025
Russia has completed the transfer of 6,060 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, but thousands more remain in refrigerated storage awaiting retrieval by Kyiv, according to Russian officials. The bodies, DNA-verified and sealed, are held at the Rostov Military Morgue.
Vladimir Medinsky, a Russian presidential envoy, called the operation a “humanitarian milestone.” He said Russia fulfilled its obligations under the Istanbul agreement, which initially aimed to exchange fallen soldiers and wounded prisoners. The final shipment on June 16 included 1,248 bodies, completing the transfer of the initial 6,060.
However, between 2,239 and 3,000 additional Ukrainian corpses are prepared for delivery, but Ukraine has not yet responded, according to Interfax. This standstill is straining Russian morgue facilities, with the central morgue in Rostov nearing its 10,000-body capacity, News.ru reported. Morgues in Belgorod and Kursk are also operating at full capacity.
Medinsky dismissed allegations from Ukraine’s Interior Ministry that one of the returned bodies was Russian, calling it “absurd propaganda.” He said all remains were processed through certified forensic facilities, with DNA results and photographs provided to Ukrainian authorities, according to Vedomosti.
Moscow officials suggest misidentification may stem from Ukraine’s lack of a national DNA registry and the chaotic nature of some battlefield units. Gazeta.ru noted Ukraine may need up to 14 months to identify the returned bodies, many stripped of identifiers from fighting near Avdiivka and Zaporizhzhia.
Russia proposed short ceasefires to retrieve corpses from contested areas, but Ukraine initially rejected the idea. New talks are tentatively scheduled in Istanbul after June 22.
What’s next
The thousands of prepared bodies remain in russian morgues, awaiting a response from Ukrainian authorities. The situation leaves families in limbo, awaiting closure and a formal acknowledgment from their government.