Ukraine repatriates 261 bodies in latest exchange, Russia claims they are Ukrainian soldiers

Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has announced that the remains of 261 people were returned to the country on 13 August 2026 as part of an ongoing repatriation process with Russia.

Following the transfer, officials said investigators will now begin work to establish the identities of those returned. This typically involves forensic examination and cross-referencing with records of missing persons.

Russian officials have claimed that the returned remains belong to Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters has not yet confirmed this claim, as the identification process is still underway.

Such repatriation operations form part of an ongoing exchange between the two sides, through which the remains of those killed during the war are returned to their country of origin. Further details on the identities and circumstances of the deceased are expected once the investigation is complete.