Russia returns 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers

Russia has handed over 1,000 bodies of military personnel to Ukraine.

The Russian side has not yet commented on the exchange, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Ukrainian coordination headquarters.

Ukrainian law enforcement, together with Interior Ministry expert institutions, will conduct examinations and identify the bodies.

The repatriation was successfully carried out through the coordinated efforts of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Center under Ukraine’s Security Service, the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat for Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service, and other security and defense agencies of Ukraine.

The Russia‑Ukraine war began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and massive displacement.

The conflict has since escalated into a protracted war involving heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine, widespread destruction, and international sanctions on Russia.

Russia and Ukraine agreed during peace talks in Istanbul (on June 2, 2025) to repatriate up to 6,000 dead soldiers from each side, alongside a prisoner‑of‑war exchange.

In mid‑June, Russia transferred 1,245 bodies to Ukraine, marking what Kyiv called the final stage of the repatriation agreement.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of returning bodies in “extremely mutilated” condition.

By Jeyhun Aghazada