Ukraine has received the remains of 1,000 fallen soldiers from Russia as part of the latest exchange of war dead between the two nations, amid ongoing efforts to repatriate bodies under previous agreements
The exchange, confirmed by both sides, saw Russia return the bodies while Ukraine handed over the remains of 38 Russian servicemen.
According to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, "Today, repatriation measures took place, under which 1,000 bodies of the deceased, which the Russian side claims belong to Ukrainian defenders, were returned to Ukraine."
On the Russian side, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky announced via Telegram that "Within the framework of the Istanbul agreements, the bodies of 1,000 dead Ukrainian soldiers have been transferred to Ukraine. The bodies of 38 dead Russian soldiers have been transferred to Russia."
This exchange is part of a series of repatriations aimed at allowing families to bury their loved ones, a humanitarian practice that has continued despite the protracted conflict.
Previous swaps have included similar numbers, with a recent one in December 2025 involving over 1,000 Ukrainian bodies. The process underscores the ongoing diplomatic channels maintained for such purposes, even as hostilities persist.
Humanitarian organizations and international observers have noted the importance of these exchanges in providing closure to affected families, though the imbalance in numbers highlights the scale of losses reported on both sides.