Russia handed over another 1,003 bodies to Ukraine, allegedly Ukrainian defenders — Coordination Headquarters
Another 1,003 bodies, which, according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian service members, were returned to Ukraine, says the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Law enforcement investigators, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct all necessary examinations and identification of the repatriated bodies.
During the previous repatriation, which took place on 23 October, another thousand bodies were handed over to Ukraine. All of them are undergoing identification. This process may take a long time. As the Ministry of Internal Affairs explains, sometimes Russia transfers several bodies in one body bag. At times, Ukrainian experts find the remains of one person in different bags or even during different stages of repatriation.
Ukrainian specialists conduct DNA testing on every body or remains. There have been recorded cases of Russia attempting to hand over the bodies of its citizens, together with those of the fallen Ukrainian service members. Kyiv has returned at least three such bodies to the Russian side.