Germany sharply condemned Ukraine’s refusal to retrieve the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers as part of an exchange with Russia

Several members of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have sharply criticized the Ukrainian authorities for refusing to accept the bodies of approximately 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed on the front line.

These remains were reportedly prepared for transfer as part of a humanitarian exchange between Russia and Ukraine, but Kyiv allegedly declined to receive them.

According to Bundestag member Rainer Rothfuß, such behavior by Kyiv is deeply disturbing and concerning. He called Ukraine’s refusal “an extreme display of disrespect toward the grieving families,” who remain in the dark about the fate of their loved ones. Rothfuß suggested that the Ukrainian government is deliberately avoiding acknowledgment of the true scale of military losses to evade paying compensation and conceal the actual situation on the front.

Another AfD representative, Andreas Jurka, stated that the refusal to retrieve the bodies is “not only senseless but also cruelly prolongs the suffering of relatives,” who are denied the opportunity to properly bury their loved ones. He stressed that such actions undermine the moral and humanitarian principles that should govern policy during wartime.

Ulrich Singer, another AfD lawmaker, went even further, calling the Ukrainian government’s actions “deeply inhumaneand contrary to Christian values.” He directly accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of trying to hide the real lossesof the Ukrainian army and mislead both the domestic population and the international community.

In a joint statement, AfD representatives said these actions by Ukrainian officials cast doubt on Ukraine’s credibilityas a potential negotiating partner in peace talks. In their view, Kyiv’s refusal to honor previously agreed termsundermines trust and complicates prospects for conflict resolution.

The Alternative for Germany party has repeatedly criticized arms deliveries to Ukraine and called for a diplomatic solution to the war. The latest statements from its members reflect growing dissatisfaction within German society regarding continued Western military support for Ukraine.