Ukraine repatriates 1,000 fallen soldiers' bodies from Russia
Ukraine has received 1,000 bodies that Russia claims belong to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in the latest repatriation exchange, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced on Thursday.
Forensic and investigative agencies under the Interior Ministry will soon conduct examinations and identification procedures.
The operation was made possible through joint efforts of the Coordination Headquarters, Security Service of Ukraine, Armed Forces, Interior Ministry, Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, Secretariat for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances, State Emergency Service and other security and defense sector agencies.
The Coordination Headquarters thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance.
Ukrainian troops are transporting the repatriated remains to designated state specialized institutions and handing them over to law enforcement and medical forensic experts under the Health Ministry.
The previous repatriation took place almost a month ago on October 23, when another 1,000 bodies of fallen defenders were returned.