Ukraine: 58 Soldiers’ Bodies Returned From Russian-Controlled Territory

The January repatriation occurred immediately after the crash of a Russian military plane, which Moscow claims was transporting Ukrainian prisoners of war and was shot down by Kyiv

Written by Spriha Rai February 17, 2024

Ukraine announced Friday that it had brought back the bodies of over 60 troops who died battling the Russian invasion.

“Another repatriation took place, as a result of which 58 fallen defenders were returned to Ukraine from Russian-controlled territory”, the coordinating headquarters for prisoners of war reported.

It published images of white trucks with the Red Cross insignias on the windscreen.

“Special thanks for the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross”, the post reads.

Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, the two sides have exchanged captives and repatriated bodies regularly.

Ukraine announced at the end of January that it had retrieved the bodies of 77 Ukrainian soldiers.

The January repatriation occurred immediately after the crash of a Russian military plane, which Moscow claims was transporting Ukrainian prisoners of war and was shot down by Kyiv.

Ukraine has questioned whether Ukrainian soldiers were truly on board, claiming Moscow never informed it in advance that POWs would be flown near the border.

Both body repatriations looked to be unrelated to the plane tragedy.

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