14 Jun 2025, 14:51

Ukraine Repatriates Fallen Soldiers' Bodies in Exchange with Russia

Ukraine has conducted an exchange of fallen soldiers' bodies, returning 1,200 remains.
Russian forces have seized new territories in the Sumy region, while Ukrainian forces are launching a counteroffensive.
Drone attacks have caused destruction in Zaporizhzhia, affecting civilians.

This has been reported by The Guardian, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Repatriation of Fallen Soldiers' Bodies

Ukraine has returned more fallen soldiers' bodies according to an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul, Ukrainian officials reported on June 14, 2025. The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated that Russia returned 1,200 bodies, which the Russian side claims belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. The repatriation of the bodies involved the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and other government agencies. Forensic experts will now work on identifying the remains. This repatriation is one of the largest since the war began.

Operations on the Front

Russia reported that its troops have captured another village in the northeastern Sumy region, the village of Yablunivka, located about 9 km from the Russian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces are "gradually pushing back the occupiers" in the border region, although estimates indicate Russian gains. Russia also claims to control two other villages in the eastern Donetsk region, Koptivo and Komar.

Drone Attacks

Ukrainian military reported striking Russian military-industrial facilities used for producing explosives. At the same time, Russia launched strikes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, where a humanitarian warehouse was destroyed. According to Ivan Fedorov, the governor of Zaporizhzhia region, at least three people were injured as a result of the attacks on June 14. The humanitarian facility caught fire, and vehicles, a shop, and a public transport stop were also damaged.

Loss of Life and Damage

During the Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia, 15 other residential buildings were damaged, two police officers and a 62-year-old woman were injured. The Ukrainian aviation claims to have neutralized 43 drones launched by Russia, including 55 Shahed drones and four ballistic missiles.

Conclusions

According to reports, Ukraine has received 3,012 bodies of the fallen, while the number of returned bodies to Ukraine remains unknown. Operations continue, and the situation on the front remains tense.