Russia and Ukraine Exchange 275 Fallen Soldiers' Remains

The Federal Government of Russia and the Government of Ukraine exchanged the remains of 275 fallen soldiers on September 17, 2026, at the Novaya Guta border crossing in Belarus. Russia returned 252 bodies to Ukrainian authorities, while Ukraine returned 23 bodies to Russia. The operation was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and follows a previous exchange on August 13 involving 285 total remains.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that Russia claims the 252 returned bodies are Ukrainian citizens and military personnel. Forensic specialists from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine are now conducting independent examinations to identify the remains before they are returned to families. Ukrainian authorities noted that identification can be delayed by damaged remains or the discovery of explosive devices inside bodies, adding that some previously returned remains were found to belong to Russian troops.

The repatriation was a joint effort involving the Security Service of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the State Emergency Service. The Ukrainian military credited its search teams for recovering remains despite threats from shelling, drone strikes, and remote mining. This exchange is part of a broader agreement reached in Istanbul for the return of thousands of bodies and remains one of the few direct communication channels between the two nations.