Russia and Ukraine Exchange 277 Fallen Soldiers

Russia and Ukraine exchanged the remains of 277 soldiers on October 22, 2026. The transfer occurred at the Novaya Guta border crossing in Belarus and was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Ukraine received 252 bodies, while Russia received 25. Among the remains returned to Russia was a Sri Lankan citizen classified as a combatant under international law. Ukrainian authorities stated that police and expert institutions are now working to identify the deceased.

This operation follows similar exchanges conducted in August and September. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office and military intelligence chief, estimated that over 26,000 remains have been repatriated to Ukraine since the start of the war, with 5,300 of those received in 2026 alone.