Ukraine recently announced that it has received the remains of 563 soldiers from Russian authorities. The soldiers, who mainly perished in combat in the eastern Donetsk region, were returned as part of an ongoing exchange of prisoners and deceased military personnel between Moscow and Kyiv. This cooperative effort stands out as one of the few areas where both countries collaborate since the Russian invasion in 2022.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed the return of the fallen Ukrainian defenders through a statement on social media. This repatriation marks one of the most significant returns of deceased Ukrainian servicemen since the conflict began. Among the returned remains, 320 were from Donetsk, and 89 soldiers lost their lives near Bakhmut, a town seized by Russia following a fierce battle last year. Additionally, 154 bodies were brought back from morgues within Russia.
The exact number of military casualties from both sides remains undisclosed, as neither Russia nor Ukraine has shared this information publicly.