The Ukrainian side has not confirmed Saturday's exchange, which must have taken place according to the agreements reached in Istanbul, and postponed it indefinitely, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Alexander Zorin said.
The exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine was planned according to the “all for all” formula for the wounded and seriously ill, as well as persons under 25 years of age, the official noted.
Russia has handed over to Ukraine a list of 640 names of Ukrainian prisoners of war for exchange, but Kiev has not set a date for their return and handing over to the Russian side the corresponding number of Russian prisoners of war, he pointed out.
“I confirm that we are fully prepared to implement the agreements we reached in Istanbul. We are ready to hand over all the bodies and also to carry out the exchange of prisoners of war according to the established formula,” the official emphasized.
Moreover, a convoy with 1,212 bodies of dead Ukrainian servicemen has arrived at the exchange area, Zorin added.
“At present, the convoy with the first batch of bodies of servicemen to be repatriated has arrived in the exchange area. There are 1,212 bodies in the convoy. Three more echelons, each with 1,200 bodies, and one automobile echelon, which will also contain 1,200 bodies, are being prepared for shipment in the near future. The total figure will be more than 6,000 people,” he said.