Exchange of bodies between Ukraine and Russia: 50 deceased heroes have been returned

MAZURENKO ALONA – WEDNESDAY, 8 JUNE 2022, 16:25

Another exchange of bodies of deceased soldiers has been conducted between Ukraine and Russian occupying forces. Ukraine has managed to arrange the return of the bodies of 50 deceased heroes, 37 of them defenders of Azovstal.

Source: Ministry for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories

Quote: "At the front line in Zaporizhzhia Oblast an exchange of bodies of deceased soldiers took place between Ukraine and Russia following the formula "50 for 50"."

Details: It is reported that 37 out of the 50 Ukrainian soldiers are defenders of Azovstal.

The exchange operation was conducted by the Ministry of Reintegration, Intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other security agencies of Ukraine.

Background:

•       On 2 June, the Ukrainian side and the aggressor state conducted an exchange of bodies of deceased soldiers using the formula "160 for 160".
•       Later, Hanna Holovko, the Azov regiment press-secretary, claimed that all 160 Ukrainian bodies transferred by Russia were from the Azovstal ruins. She said that at least 52 of these bodies are considered to be the remains of Azov regiment soldiers.
•       210 bodies of dead defenders of Mariupol have already been returned to the controlled territory, most of whom were defenders of Azovstal.