Fact Check: Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Ukraine had received over 6,000 bodies from Moscow as of June 2025.

Published June 17, 2025

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VERDICT

False

# Fact Check: "Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Ukraine had received over 6,000 bodies from Moscow as of June 2025." ## What W...

Fact Check: "Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Ukraine had received over 6,000 bodies from Moscow as of June 2025."

What We Know

As of June 16, 2025, Ukrainian officials, including Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, reported that Ukraine had received a total of over 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers from Russia. This repatriation was part of an agreement reached during peace talks held in Istanbul, which included provisions for the exchange of prisoners and the return of war dead (Reuters, The Moscow Times). Specifically, on June 16, it was confirmed that 1,245 bodies were returned in the final stage of this agreement (The Moscow Times, Al Jazeera).

The reports indicate that the total number of bodies exchanged was around 6,057 (Reuters). However, the context of these exchanges is critical; while Umerov stated that Ukraine received these bodies, the figure of 6,000 was part of a mutual agreement, and there are discrepancies in the reporting of exact numbers from both sides (Reuters, EuroMaidan Press).

Analysis

The claim that Umerov confirmed the receipt of over 6,000 bodies is partially true but lacks crucial context. Umerov's statement aligns with reports that Ukraine received 6,057 bodies as part of the repatriation process (The Moscow Times). However, the original claim implies a unilateral confirmation of the number without acknowledging the complexities of the agreement and the ongoing conflict over casualty figures.

Moreover, the reports indicate that while Umerov confirmed the receipt of over 6,000 bodies, the agreement was framed as a mutual exchange, with both sides involved in the process (The Moscow Times, Al Jazeera). The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they are established news organizations with a track record of reporting on the conflict. However, the situation remains fluid, and casualty figures are often contested by both parties involved in the conflict, making independent verification challenging (The Moscow Times, RFE/RL).

Conclusion

The claim that "Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Ukraine had received over 6,000 bodies from Moscow as of June 2025" is False. While Umerov did confirm the receipt of over 6,000 bodies, the context of the agreement and the ongoing disputes over casualty figures complicate the assertion. The figure represents a culmination of a mutual agreement rather than a straightforward confirmation of unilateral action by Ukraine.

Sources

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