Russia delays prisoner exchange process

This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Today's statements by the Russian side do not correspond to reality and previous agreements regarding either the exchange of prisoners or the repatriation of bodies. Over the past week, teams from both sides have been working in two directions — the repatriation of the bodies of the fallen servicemen and the exchange of prisoners.

Regarding the exchange of prisoners: Ukraine submitted lists for exchange, formed in accordance with the Istanbul agreements, but the lists transferred to the Russian Federation do not correspond to the agreed approach. Therefore, according to the Coordination Staff, Ukraine has provided relevant comments and is awaiting the next step from the Russian Federation.

Unfortunately, instead of a constructive dialogue, we are once again faced with manipulation and attempts to use sensitive humanitarian topics for informational purposes. We are interested in a real result — the return of our prisoners and the bodies of the dead, and are ready to work further for this within the framework of the agreements.

They also called on Russia to stop playing dirty games, return to constructive work, and clearly implement the agreements in the coming days.

Recall that during the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine and the Russian Federation agreed to exchange the bodies of the dead according to the formula "6,000 for 6,000" and exchange seriously ill, wounded and young prisoners of war. President Volodymyr Zelenkyi expected that the first stage of the exchange could take place this weekend, as Russia agreed to hand over 500 people.

However, on June 7, the head of the Russian negotiating team, Volodymyr Medinsky, accused Ukraine of allegedly postponing the prisoner exchange. He also stated that Russia had allegedly already delivered more than 1,000 bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers to the exchange site.