Bodies of 44 fallen defenders returned to Ukraine

This was reported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Reintegration.

"Today, fallen Ukrainian soldiers were repatriated from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Thus, we managed to return the bodies of 44 more defenders," the statement reads.

It is reported that the transfer of the bodies of the fallen soldiers was carried out in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

After identification, the bodies of the Ukrainian defenders will be handed over to their families for a decent burial.

What is known about the POW exchange

On June 9, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had handed over a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary. The Ukrainian intelligence service said it had no knowledge of this. International organizations, including the Red Cross, also had no relevant information.

Later, Hungary confirmed the transfer of 11 prisoners of war, noting that it was a "gesture of goodwill" on the part of the Russian Orthodox Church. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned Hungary's Charge d'Affaires for explanations.

On June 11, Ukraine returned 95 servicemen from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and State Border Guard Service from Russian captivity.

On June 16, Commissioner for Missing Persons Oleh Kotenko said that Ukraine had established the whereabouts of 11 prisoners of war. A few days later, it was reported that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry demanded that a consul be allowed to visit them. At the same time, Budapest continued to disregard human rights and fundamental freedoms and ignored all attempts at constructive dialogue with the Ukrainian embassy.

On July 6, Ukraine returned 45 people from captivity. Among them are two officers, 41 privates and sergeants, a civilian employee of Azovstal, and a Territorial Defense fighter from Kherson.