This was reported by Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.The exchange took place within the framework of agreements reached between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul."Unfortunately, among the repatriated are 5 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen who died in captivity. They were on the lists of 'severely wounded and seriously ill' prisoners for exchange according to the agreements in Istanbul during the second round of negotiations," the statement reads.The headquarters emphasized that Russia is delaying the process and not fulfilling the agreements, while Ukraine insists on the release of all severely wounded and seriously ill prisoners and fights for the return of its citizens.Today, Ukraine has succeeded in repatriating the bodies of fallen defenders from several front-line areas, including Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Kursk. In the coming days, law enforcement officials and experts from the Ministry of Internal Affairs will begin the identification process.This exchange was made possible through the coordinated efforts of Ukrainian state institutions, with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross.The first round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul took place on May 16, 2025, followed by a second round on June 2. According to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during the June 2 meeting, Russia responded to Ukraine’s constructive proposals — which could have brought a just peace closer — by once again presenting a set of old ultimatums. The only agreements reached concerned the exchange of the bodies of fallen defenders and prisoners; no progress was made on a ceasefire.On June 16, during another exchange, Russia returned 1,245 bodies of the deceased to Ukraine. It later emerged that, along with the bodies of Ukrainian defenders, Russia had also handed over the remains of its own servicemen.On June 18, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that Ukraine had so far received more than 6,000 bodies, though among them were also Russian soldiers’ remains. The identification process for all repatriated bodies is expected to take up to 14 months, after which Ukraine will return Russian soldiers’ remains to Russia for burial.