"It has happened"

Moscow and Kiev argue over the identity of bodies

Since the start of the war, the Ukrainian side has recovered over 3,700 prisoners.(Bild: AFP )

According to Russia, it has handed over the Ukrainian prisoners of war who died when a transport plane was shot down to Kiev. 

"It happened, and I was there," said Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova. She did not specify the exact time of the handover.

The coordination staff in Ukraine responsible for prisoner of war matters did not initially confirm the identity of the bodies. Expert reports on the identification of the remains are still awaited.

Russia last handed over over 500 soldiers' bodies to Ukraine at the end of November.(Bild: SERGEY BOBOK / AFP)

At the end of January, a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane was presumably shot down by the Ukrainian side in the Belgorod border region. Moscow claimed that 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war were on board for an exchange at the nearby border.

Although Kiev confirmed the exchange planned for that day, the plane had been used to transport anti-aircraft missiles and not prisoners of war.

3700 prisoners returned
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for over two and a half years. Since the beginning of the war, the Ukrainian side has received back over 3700 prisoners. Most recently, Russia handed over over 500 soldiers' bodies to Ukraine at the end of November.