Ukraine brings back another 1,000 bodies of the fallen heroes
Photo: Ukraine has brought back the bodies of 1,000 fallen defenders (t.me/Koord_shtab)
Today, September 18, Ukraine has brought back from Russia the bodies of another 1,000 deceased citizens, including servicemen, according to the Telegram channel of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
"Today, repatriation activities took place. Ukraine has received 1,000 bodies that, according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian servicemen," the statement reads.
In the near future, investigators of law enforcement agencies, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will carry out all necessary examinations and identification of the repatriated bodies.
The operation was made possible through the joint efforts of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Center under the Security Service of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service, and other structures of the security and defense sector.
The Coordination Headquarters expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance, as well as to the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who organized the transportation of the fallen Heroes’ bodies to specialized state institutions, their handover to law enforcement, and the forensic examination.
Return of fallen soldiers’ bodies
During negotiations in Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia agreed on the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased in a 6,000 for 6,000 format.
The first stage of this exchange took place on June 11, when Ukraine received 1,212 bodies of soldiers who died in the east and south of the country, as well as in the Kursk region.
On June 13, another 1,200 bodies were returned, including fallen Ukrainian servicemen. The next day, June 14, another 1,200 bodies were delivered to Ukraine, and on August 19 – 1,000 more fallen defenders.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs notes that Russia often deliberately complicates the identification process by returning bodies in a mutilated condition. At the same time, the return of the fallen remains one of the most difficult and most important missions for Ukraine.
After each repatriation, a lengthy identification procedure is carried out – forensic autopsies, investigative work, DNA examinations, and verification of every detail.
