Contradictory statements emerge from Kyiv and Moscow on prisoner swap process

The process of exchanging prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers between Ukraine and Russia has faced uncertainty due to mutual accusations from both sides.

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced that Kyiv had submitted the relevant lists and explanations on time, but the data provided by Russia did not match the previously agreed-upon arrangements.

The body also denied Russian claims that Ukraine had delayed the exchange process. According to the Ukrainian side, Russia’s statements are not consistent with reality, and such escalations hinder humanitarian efforts.

Meanwhile, the Russian negotiating team insists that in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul on June 6, Russia has begun the exchange process, transferring the first batch of 1,212 bodies of fallen soldiers in a frozen state. Additionally, Russia has provided a list of 640 POWs—wounded, seriously ill, and under 25 years old. Russia’s Defense Ministry contact group stated that they are at the border, but the Ukrainian side “unexpectedly” delayed the exchange, and Kyiv’s negotiating team has not arrived at the border.

Russia has urged Ukraine to “keep to the agreements” and to “retrieve the bodies of the fallen so that families can bury their loved ones with dignity.” Ukraine, in turn, accused Russia of manipulations on sensitive topics and violating the agreed conditions.

To remind, on June 2, the parties agreed in Istanbul to carry out a “6000-6000” exchange of fallen soldiers, as well as agreed on the principles of POW exchange, giving priority to the seriously wounded and young people.