In recent days, Russia’s Ministry of Defence has reported highly improbable major military movements as well. Over a 24-hour period alone, they stopped 260 UAVs from Ukraine. This announcement further illustrates the situation unfolding in real-time, as conflict deepens and tensions escalate between Russian and Ukrainian forces. On July 6th, the Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses scored a historic success during the last week. They even managed to intercept one Neptune long-range missile, 18 JDAM guided bombs, nine US-made HIMARS rockets, and a staggering 1,582 fixed-wing drones.
At the same time, Russia repatriated 1,200 remains thought to be fallen Ukrainian soldiers back to Kyiv. The rare exchange takes place as the two countries are still engaged in dialogue over the return of remains and prisoners. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed that forensic experts would now work to identify the remains received from Russia.
Military Activities and Drone Interceptions
In a series of reports over the past month, Russia’s Ministry of Defence highlighted its involvement in attacking Ukrainian aerial threats before they reached Russian installations. In one day alone, the Russian troops shot down 260 drones that invaded their airspace. That’s how determined the Russian military was to defend their skies.
Along with drone interceptions, Russia reported its air defences as having downed an impressive array of advanced weaponry. The Ministry claimed Ukraine destroyed one Neptune long-range missile and several JDAM guided bombs last week. In addition, they claimed that their air defense systems shot down nine HIMARS rockets during this period.
“Today, Russia handed over 1,200 bodies of deceased soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces to Ukraine. Not a single one was handed over to us.” – Unnamed source, TASS news agency
These military actions underline the ongoing conflict’s intensity and the strategic measures taken by Russia to mitigate threats from Ukraine.
Body Exchange and Its Implications
The ongoing return of these 1,200 bodies has enormous meaning for both countries. The bodies are believed to be those of Ukrainian soldiers. More broadly, both countries have agreed in principle to exchange up to 6,000 bodies as part of a larger deal.
Even with this progress, trouble was brewing. Despite what Russia said on June 7—that Ukraine suddenly delayed the return of remains and exchanges of prisoners—Ukraine has publicly followed suit. Both countries have recently prioritized the release of sick and severely wounded POWs. They’re focusing the clearest light on people scoring under the age of 25.
Ukraine’s Presidential Coordination Headquarters expressed willingness to help determine the identity of the returned remains. This ongoing process remains an important step towards the closure families of service members lost to the forever wars deserve.
Support for Ukrainian Refugees
Amidst the ongoing military conflict, the European Union has extended its temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees by another year. This extension allows more than 4.3 million Ukrainians to remain in the EU. They may stay in EU territory until March 2027.
“While Russia continues to terrorise Ukrainian civilians with indiscriminate air strikes, the EU continues to show its solidarity,” – Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland’s interior minister.
Siemoniak further added, “We will continue to offer protection for millions of Ukrainian refugees for another year.” This release further signals the EU’s determination to continue supporting those affected by the conflict, as humanitarian needs grow.
