Exchange of bodies following Istanbul talks to begin next week, Ukraine’s spy chief says

On June 8, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, made a statement on Telegram.

“The start of repatriation measures following the negotiations in Istanbul is scheduled for next week. Authorized persons were informed about this on Tuesday (May 27 – ed.). Everything is proceeding according to plan, despite the enemy’s dirty information tactics,” Budanov said.

According to the lieutenant general, Ukraine is carefully adhering to the agreements reached in Istanbul.

“Decisions about who, when, and how the exchange takes place should not be made unilaterally. Careful preparation is ongoing. Pressure and manipulation are unacceptable,” Budanov emphasized.

• On June 7, Russia staged a provocation regarding the return of the bodies of fallen Ukrainian defenders. Despite the absence of a prior agreement,Russia unilaterally began delivering bodies of Ukrainian soldiers to the border on June 6 and claimed on June 7 that Ukraine was refusing to accept them.