261 bodies returned to Ukraine; identities of the dead are still to be established

The remains of 261 fallen soldiers have been repatriated to Ukraine. The return took place on Thursday, October 22. This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The Russian side claims that the returned remains belong to Ukrainian service members. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, together with representatives of expert institutions, will establish the identity of each fallen soldier. To do so, they will conduct forensic examinations and other necessary investigations.

Before this repatriation, it had been reported that more than 26,000 sets of remains had been returned to Ukraine. At the same time, a large number of remains are still unidentified.

We previously reported:

• More than 26,000 sets of remains returned to Ukraine — many of the fallen have yet to be identified
• Remains of 261 fallen soldiers whom Russia considers Ukrainian service members returned to Ukraine: identification is next
• Only codes instead of names for now: 76 unidentified defenders buried in Mykolaiv
• The Interior Ministry launches an online service to identify missing people by their tattoos
• During the latest exchanges, Russia handed over the remains of its own citizens instead of those of fallen Ukrainians, says Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.