Ukraine repatriates bodies of 528 fallen soldiers from Russia
Ukraine repatriated the bodies of 528 fallen individuals from Russia on 16 May, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said. The remains, which the Russian side indicated may belong to Ukrainian servicemembers, will undergo forensic examination and DNA identification. The operation involved multiple Ukrainian agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Ukraine repatriated the bodies of 528 fallen individuals from Russia on 16 May, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced. The Russian side indicated the remains may belong to Ukrainian servicemembers.
Investigators and forensic experts will carry out identification procedures, including DNA matching, at specialized state institutions, the Coordination Headquarters said. Personnel from the Central Directorate for Civil-Military Cooperation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine transported the remains to those facilities.
The repatriation effort involved the Coordination Headquarters, the Joint Center under the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Interior Ministry, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Persons Gone Missing under Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service, and other agencies. The International Committee of the Red Cross assisted with the operation.
“Behind every such return lies complex interagency work aimed at ensuring that Ukraine’s fallen defenders are brought home and their families are allowed to bid a proper farewell to their loved ones,” the SBU said.
The operation follows a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange on 15 May, in which 205 Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity as part of the first phase. Ukraine has recovered approximately 18,500 bodies of its service members since 24 February 2022. On 9 April, Ukraine repatriated 1,000 deceased personnel.