The issue of compensation for medical treatment of Ukrainian military servicemen in Russia should be settled through diplomatic channels, says Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

"This issue will be resolved through diplomatic channels," Lysenko said at a news conference in Kyiv on Thursday.

Eighteen Ukrainian servicemen who received medical treatment in the Rostov region returned to Ukraine on early Thursday. Another four Ukrainian troops remained in the Rostov region for health reasons, and a decision on their return will be made in the near future.

The Rostov regional administration press service reported earlier with reference to Deputy Governor Vadim Artyomov that all procedural issues concerning the transfer of the Ukrainian servicemen to the Ukrainian Consulate General in the Rostov region had been settled, and the regional authorities hope to receive compensation for providing treatment to Ukrainian border guards and National Guard members.

"It makes no sense for us to prevent the return of the Ukrainian servicemen home, moreover, this is in our best interests, as the wounded troops' stay, food, and treatment costs the regional budget quite a significant sum. We do hope that Ukraine would be able to compensate the Rostov region's administration for the financial expenses that the regional budget incurred for treating and conducting complicated operations on Ukrainian servicemen," he said.