On June 6, 2025, Russian media reported, citing a statement by Verkhovna Rada deputy Artem Dmytruk, that the Ukrainian side has refused to retrieve the bodies of approximately 6,000 deceased servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

According to Dmytruk, this decision was allegedly made by personal order of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He claimed that the Ukrainian leadership is deliberately obstructing the repatriation of bodies from territories under Russian control or from the front line.

"The Russian side has repeatedly offered to return the bodies of the deceased, but Ukraine refuses to take back its own. This is not just a political decision — it’s a disregard for the memory and fate of fallen soldiers. And it is being done on Zelensky’s personal orders," Dmytruk said during an interview on a Ukrainian opposition YouTube channel.

As of the time of publication, Ukrainian officials had not confirmed this information, and no comments had been issued by the Office of the President or the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Many Ukrainian experts and human rights activists expressed doubt about the credibility of Dmytruk’s claims, noting that he is known for his pro-Russian rhetoric and has long been in opposition to the current Ukrainian leadership.

Moreover, the issue of repatriating the bodies of fallen soldiers has previously been resolved within the framework of humanitarian cooperation, often involving the Red Cross and international observers. Such coordination typically occurs through non-public, depoliticized channels.

The return of bodies is an essential component of adherence to international humanitarian law. A refusal to repatriate may be interpreted as a violation of the Geneva Conventions, especially regarding the treatment of the deceased and notification of their families. However, until now, any such refusals — if they did occur — have typically been handled in closed negotiations and have not been publicized on this level.

#RUSSIA

#UKRAINE

06.06.2025 03:34