Ukraine repatriates bodies of 252 fallen Ukrainians

Ukraine returned the remains of 252 Ukrainians who fell in Russia, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which announced the repatriation on September 17. Russian authorities identified the bodies as those of Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. Law enforcement investigators, alongside expert institutions from the Interior Ministry, will perform examinations and determine the identities of the repatriated bodies.

The joint repatriation effort involved various Ukrainian agencies, including the Coordination Headquarters, Joint Center, Armed Forces, Interior Ministry, Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, Secretariat, State Emergency Service, and other security and defense organizations.

While Ukraine has suffered significant losses in the ongoing conflict, Russia is expected to transfer a larger number of Ukrainian bodies back to their country. This is because Russian forces have captured more Ukrainian soldiers during offensive operations. The resumption of peace talks in early 2025 has accelerated the return of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Repatriation operations have become a key aspect of humanitarian cooperation between Ukraine and Russia.

The Coordination Headquarters expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for their assistance in the latest repatriation, as well as to the Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel who transported the returned bodies. This recent operation followed another on August 13, which saw Ukraine bring home the remains of 261 individuals that Russia alleged might be Ukrainian service members.

It is important to note that Ukraine consistently reports the number of repatriated bodies it receives from Russia, but it does not disclose information on the remains of Russian soldiers returned to Moscow. The figures regarding Russian remains are not publicly available.