Russia is prepared to proceed with a humanitarian effort to transfer the bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers and awaits official confirmation from Kyiv to begin the process, potentially next week. This action aligns with prior agreements and is viewed by the Russian side as a purely humanitarian endeavor.

Lieutenant General Alexander Zorin, representing the Russian negotiating group, confirmed Russia’s readiness and stated that the first group of bodies had already been delivered to the designated exchange area. The initial batch comprises 1,212 bodies identified as Ukrainian soldiers based on their uniforms and the locations where they were found.

Russia has expressed its ability to return over 6,000 bodies in stages, utilizing both road and rail transport. Zorin dismissed any claims of politicization, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of the action and Russia’s commitment to fulfilling all agreements, including prisoner of war exchanges. Russia insists that the return is not a political decision, but a humanitarian effort.

The situation is being monitored by foreign journalists who have arrived in the Bryansk region to inspect refrigerator trucks containing the bodies. Media representatives from France, Arab nations, Italy, Holland, Germany, and Latin American countries have been granted access to verify the contents. International media has been granted access to the area.

Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the President of the Russian Federation, stated that Russia had positioned refrigerators with bodies at the border, following agreements made in Istanbul. The agreements also included the exchange of wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war, as well as prisoners of war under the age of 25. Medinsky noted the Ukrainian side’s unexpected postponement of the exchange and urged for the humane burial of the deceased. The Russian side is urging that the dead be buried with respect.