Russia handed over the bodies of 501 soldiers to Ukraine today, the Ukrainian authorities announced, which is the largest repatriation of war dead since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Most of these soldiers died in action in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, mainly around the town of Avdiyivka, which Russian forces captured in February after a long and difficult battle, the Ukrainian Coordination Staff for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced.
Law enforcement agencies and forensic experts will identify the bodies, which will then be handed over to the families, the statement said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this Sunday unveiled parts of his "victory plan" aimed at forcing Russia to end the war through negotiations.
That proposal is being considered by Ukraine's Western partners, whose help is vital for Kiev, and a key element would be an official invitation to NATO.
US President Joseph Biden said today in Berlin that Western allies of Ukraine must continue to support Kyiv.
Zelensky said that Russia receives help from China, Iran and North Korea.
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