Bodies of 909 Ukrainian heroes-defenders who fell in fierce battles in the east of the country have been repatriated to Ukraine
This was reported by the Coordination Staff on the treatment of prisoners of war, which coordinates the process of repatriating the deceased and missing defenders. Nearly a thousand bodies of our soldiers have been successfully transported from various frontlines and morgues in Russia, allowing the Ukrainian state to preserve dignity and respect for its heroes, and enabling their families to receive important documents for mourning and burial. According to representatives of the staff, the return process was made possible through close cooperation among many Ukrainian agencies and departments — including the Coordination Staff, the United Center under the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of Ukraine, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Missing Persons, as well as the State Emergency Service (SESU) and other security and defense structures. Official information states that the repatriation involved fallen fighters from several key regions. Specifically, bodies of Ukrainian defenders were returned from areas such as Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Bakhmut, Vuhledar, as well as from Ukrainian-controlled territories in Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions. An especially important aspect is that the Ukrainian side, together with international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, facilitated the transportation of bodies from occupied territories and morgues in Russia. This work of returning the bodies is a complex and vital stage in the humanitarian process related to defenders who sacrificed their lives for Ukraine’s independence. The Coordination Staff added that upon arrival in Ukraine, the bodies of the fallen heroes are transported to specialized government institutions, where law enforcement officers and forensic experts perform identification. Only after establishing the identities of the deceased are they handed over to families and relatives for proper funeral arrangements. Experienced investigators, in cooperation with experts from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, work to ensure that all necessary procedures are conducted as quickly and accurately as possible, considering the particularities and complexities of each case. This initiative is yet another step in humanitarian efforts related to the war, affirming that Ukraine is doing its utmost to bring its heroes home from captivity and the combat zone, improving repatriation and humanitarian support mechanisms, while also maintaining the morale of Ukrainian society and reminding everyone of the high cost of independence and freedom.