Russia on Saturday accused Ukraine of unexpectedly postponing the agreed-upon exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) and the repatriation of soldiers’ bodies, a move Moscow called a violation of earlier negotiations.

-Russia: Ukraine Refuses to Set Exchange Date

Vladimir Medinsky, head of Russia’s negotiation team, said Moscow had begun returning the bodies of over 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers and was ready to exchange POWs under the “all-for-all” formula, covering wounded, critically ill, and younger prisoners.

Lieutenant General Alexander Zorin, spokesman for the Russian negotiating team, stated on Saturday, June 7, that while the first convoy carrying 1,212 bodies had arrived at the exchange point, Ukraine had not confirmed a timeline for further transfers or the POW swap.

“We have provided Ukraine with a list of 640 surnames. Nonetheless, Kyiv refrains from setting a date for the return of these persons and the transfer to Russia ,” Zorin said, urging Ukraine to stick to the Istanbul agreements.

“We are ready to hand over all the bodies and conduct a POW Exchange according to the determined format,” he added.

-Ukraine: Russia Not Following Agreed Terms

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry rejected the accusations, saying Russia was creating “artificial obstacles” by submitting incomplete or incorrect POW lists.

The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for POWs said Moscow’s statements “do not match the facts” and that Kyiv had provided corrections to Russia’s lists, awaiting a response.

“Instead of working constructively, Russia is making unilateral moves outside the agreed framework,” the statement said.