Russia is awaiting official notification from Kyiv regarding a humanitarian action to transfer the bodies of deceased Ukrainian soldiers, potentially next week. Lieutenant General Alexander Zorin, a representative of the Russian negotiating group, confirmed that Russia is prepared to proceed with the exchange once official confirmation is received through established channels.

Russia has already delivered the initial batch of 1,212 bodies to the designated exchange area. According to Zorin, these bodies have been identified as Ukrainian soldiers based on their uniforms and the locations where they were recovered.

Russia has expressed its readiness to return over 6,000 bodies in total, utilizing both road and rail transport for the exchange. Zorin emphasized the humanitarian nature of the operation and dismissed any claims of politicization, affirming Russia’s commitment to fulfilling all agreements related to the return of deceased soldiers and the exchange of prisoners of war.

Foreign journalists, including representatives from France, Arab nations, Italy, Holland, Germany, and Latin American countries, have visited the Bryansk region to inspect refrigerated trucks containing the bodies of Ukrainian servicemen. They were allowed to verify the contents of the refrigerators, confirming Russia’s transparency in the matter.

Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, stated that Russia had brought the refrigerated trucks with bodies to the border in accordance with agreements made in Istanbul. He noted that the agreed-upon exchange also includes wounded, seriously ill, and prisoners of war under the age of 25. Medinsky reported that the Ukrainian side had unexpectedly postponed the exchange and urged for the humane burial of the deceased.