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Ukraine Repatriates Bodies of 909 Fallen Soldiers From Frontlines and Russian Territory

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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Ukraine Repatriates Bodies of 909 Fallen Soldiers From Frontlines and Russian Territory
Trucks with the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, that got repatriated from Russia, April 18, 2025, location unknown. (Source: The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War)

Ukraine has recovered and repatriated the bodies of 909 fallen defenders, bringing them home from both the front lines and morgues on Russian territory, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (KSHPPV) announced on April 18.

“These heroes were returned as a result of coordinated repatriation efforts,” the statement read, noting that the remains came from multiple active combat zones, including the Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kharkiv directions, as well as from within Russia.

The operation involved close cooperation among Ukraine’s Security and Defense Sector, including the Armed Forces, the Security Service’s Joint Center, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, and the Commissioner for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances.

Additional support came from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service and forensic experts.

Authorities expressed gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its role in facilitating the return of the fallen.

“Special thanks go to the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who carry out the transportation of the repatriated Heroes to designated state facilities, and who organize the transfer of the deceased to law enforcement and medical examination agencies,” the statement added.

Investigators and forensic specialists from Ukraine’s Interior Ministry are now working to identify the remains.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine managed to secure the return of 175 of its defenders home from Russian captivity.

Additionally, 22 defenders were returned home “through measures beyond exchanges,” according to Zelenskyy. Among them are those seriously wounded and soldiers who were persecuted by Russia for fabricated crimes. Immediate medical and psychological support will be provided to all of them.

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