Ukraine has successfully repatriated the bodies of 522 individuals, reportedly including military personnel, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
The Russian authorities claim that these remains belong to Ukrainian citizens. The return of the bodies was facilitated through collaborative efforts involving multiple Ukrainian agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Following the repatriation, law enforcement officials and forensic experts will conduct necessary examinations and identifications of the remains. The Coordination Headquarters expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance in the process.
Special recognition was also given to the personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for their role in transporting the repatriated bodies to designated state facilities and coordinating the transfer to law enforcement and forensic institutions.
This latest repatriation follows a series of previous exchanges. On April 9, Ukraine received 1,000 bodies, which Russian sources claimed belonged to Ukrainian soldiers. Additionally, on February 26, 2026, another 1,000 bodies were returned under similar claims.
According to the Coordination Headquarters, a total of 6,057 bodies have been repatriated to Ukraine since June 2025, in line with established agreements. On July 17, as part of the Istanbul agreements reached on June 2, Ukraine received another 1,000 bodies from Russia.
Subsequent repatriation efforts included another 1,000 bodies on August 19, followed by additional returns on September 18 and October 23. Most recently, on November 20, Russia returned 1,000 bodies, with a further 1,003 bodies received on December 19.
Ukraine has repatriated 522 bodies, reportedly including military personnel, as part of ongoing efforts to recover remains. This follows a series of previous exchanges with Russia, highlighting the continued collaboration between various Ukrainian agencies and international organizations.