President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine expects to carry out a prisoner exchange with Russia this coming weekend, on June 7 and 8, with the projected return of 500 Ukrainian servicemen. According to him, the necessary consultations between the two sides took place on June 4.
“The Russian side has passed on information that this weekend – on Saturday and Sunday – they will be able to transfer 500 people, 500 of our military,” Zelensky said.
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“We will be ready to exchange the relevant numbers of [POWs]”, he added.
“The Russians assured us that the lists would be handed over in advance, but they are still missing, which indicates new delays.”
The news comes after peace talks concluded in Turkey on Monday, June 2, where Ukrainian and Russian delegations met for the second time. Discussions between the delegations focused on POW exchanges, deported children, and a ceasefire framework.
Moscow and Kyiv also agreed to return the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers each, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov speaking at a press conference in Istanbul after the talks.
Zelensky also announced agreements on the exchange of bodies. According to him, Ukraine is aware that Russia has identified only 15–20% of the deceased soldiers they hold.
“The sides agreed to ensure proper identification, as Ukraine does not exploit the issue of its soldiers – whether living or fallen. It is crucial for us to receive the actual bodies of Ukrainian servicemen, not Russian soldiers Moscow wants to dispose of – such cases have already occurred,” the president said.
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Meanwhile, Vladimir Medinsky, who leads the Istanbul talks with Kyiv, while reporting directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the exchange will likely follow a 1,200-for-1,200 format.
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