According to Kyrylo Budanov, the Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the issue of exchanging the bodies of the deceased has been agreed upon, and it is planned to carry out this exchange as early as next week
He stated that the agreements reached during recent negotiations in Istanbul envisage the start of repatriation procedures in the near future, including next week. This decision was also confirmed on Tuesday, when authorized representatives of both sides received the appropriate instructions and information. According to the official position of the Ukrainian authorities, Ukraine adheres to the agreed terms of the arrangement and fulfills the commitments it has undertaken, despite significant informational pressure and attempts by Russia to impose unilateral decisions. Budanov emphasized that all actions taken by the Ukrainian side are in accordance with the agreed plan, and any speculation regarding the process, appearing in Russian media, is cynical and unacceptable. He particularly pointed out that propagandist narratives are deliberately trying to link the issue to themes of grief and loss, even though Russian representatives are primarily responsible for this difficult situation. This matter has also attracted interest in international circles, as Russian officials have confirmed that the body exchange process will take place roughly next week and are currently awaiting an official statement from the Ukrainian side. For example, just yesterday, Lieutenant General Alexander Zorin, a representative of the Russian negotiation group, stated that Russia expects official confirmation from Kyiv regarding the timing and procedure for the transfer of bodies, and noted that, by all indications, this process is set to begin very soon. Overall, the situation surrounding the exchange of the bodies of the deceased remains important and highly delicate. Both sides are making significant efforts to adhere to the agreed conditions; however, the issue generates considerable speculation from both parties, especially due to informational and psychological pressure aimed at shaping public opinion. Official representatives assure that everything will proceed in accordance with the pre-approved plan and in full compliance with the agreed arrangements, as for Ukraine, respecting international norms and moral principles is a priority in this process.