Moscow [Russia], October 24: Russia has handed over a further 1,000 soldiers' bodies to Ukraine.
The handover was arranged by the International Red Cross, according to the Ukrainian prisoner of war agency.
Russian media reported that Moscow received 31 casualties from the Ukrainian side in return. Kiev has not officially confirmed this. Since the beginning of the year, more than 14,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers have been handed over from Moscow to Kiev.
The Russian side has received far fewer bodies in the exchanges. Due to the slow but steady advance of Russian units, the Ukrainian armed forces are often unable to recover their own bodies as they retreat.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than three and a half years.
Casualty figures are subject to secrecy on both sides. According to estimates, Ukraine has lost around 160,000 soldiers, while the Russian death toll is said to be around 219,000. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
