Ukraine receives remains of 1,200+ soldiers in ongoing exchange

Ukraine has recovered the bodies of 1,212 soldiers killed in the war with Russia, Kyiv officials confirmed on Wednesday, as part of a continuing exchange programme between the two countries. Footage released by Russia, reportedly from an undisclosed location, shows what it claims are the remains of Ukrainian troops being returned to Ukrainian representatives. In return, Kyiv handed over the bodies of 27 Russian soldiers, according to Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky. He added that exchanges of sick and wounded prisoners of war also took place this week, with further transfers of more seriously ill individuals expected to occur on Thursday. The Ukrainian coordination body overseeing prisoner exchanges said the retrieved bodies would be examined by forensic experts to determine their identities. Meanwhile, fighting remains intense on the front lines. A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv on Wednesday killed at least three people and wounded dozens more, including children, according to regional authorities. The attack came just days after Ukraine reported that Russia had launched its largest drone barrage of the war, with Moscow claiming new territorial gains in the country’s east-central region.