Ukraine returns 1,000 bodies in repatriation efforts from Russia

Ukraine has returned the bodies of 1,000 fallen individuals as part of repatriation efforts, which according to information from the Russian side may belong to Ukrainian defenders, the Coordinating HQ for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (HQ) has said.

"Repatriation measures took place today, resulting in the return of the bodies (remains) of 1,000 deceased persons to Ukraine. According to the Russian side, the returned bodies belong to Ukrainian servicemen. Law enforcement investigators, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct all necessary examinations to identify the repatriated persons. Once the identities are established, the bodies will be handed over to families for a dignified burial," the HQ stated on its Telegram channel on Thursday.

It was noted that the repatriation efforts were successful due to the joint work of the Coordinating Staff for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Center under the SBU, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service, and other structures of the Security and Defense Sector.

The HQ expressed gratitude for the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross and separate thanks to the personnel of the Central Directorate of Civil-Military Cooperation of the General Staff and the Joint Center for Ensuring Civil-Military Cooperation Measures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.