Russia Returns Remains of 522 Fallen Soldiers to Ukraine

Russia has handed over the mortal remains of 522 Ukrainian soldiers who fell in battle to Ukrainian authorities in Kyiv. The bodies were collected by Russian military personnel from various battlefields, according to Ukraine's state body responsible for prisoners of war.

These returned remains will now undergo forensic examinations to confirm the identities of the fallen soldiers. This process is standard procedure to ensure the deceased can be properly returned to their grieving families. Such exchanges of bodies are carried out periodically between the two warring sides.

The operation involved various Ukrainian structures, including the military, intelligence services, and government bodies. The process of returning the bodies was facilitated through contacts between the Russian and Ukrainian sides, with the International Committee of the Red Cross acting as a mediator, a role it frequently plays in such sensitive exchanges.