Camilla Jessen
Ukrainian officials say Russia is deliberately including its own dead among the remains of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported on July 17 that Russia has again sent back the remains of its own soldiers mixed with those of fallen Ukrainian defenders during a recent repatriation exchange.
The revelation was made as part of a new remains transfer procedure and was supported by the Main Intelligence Directorate and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
According to Ukrainian officials, photographic evidence and forensic findings show that several of the bodies returned as part of the agreement were clearly Russian servicemen—based on uniform elements and personal items.
Deliberate or Disregard?
Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, said this is not the first time such an incident has occurred, and that it may be intentional.
“During the latest repatriations, we were also handed the bodies of Russian soldiers — mixed in with the bodies of Ukrainians,” said Klymenko in a statement.
“This may have been done deliberately… to inflate the number of transferred remains and overburden our forensic experts, while also applying cynical informational pressure. Or it may simply reflect their habitual disregard for their own people.”
He added that Ukrainian authorities will identify and properly handle these remains, even though they belong to enemy troops. The Ministry emphasized that Ukraine continues to act in line with international humanitarian law.
Russia Returns Only 19 Bodies vs. Ukraine’s 1,000
This revelation comes shortly after Ukrainian officials confirmed the receipt of the remains of 1,000 fallen Ukrainian service members as part of a broader exchange.
In contrast, Russia retrieved the bodies of just 19 of its own troops, according to Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky.
The disparity is part of a long-term agreement initiated during negotiations in Istanbul, under which Russia has committed to returning around 6,000 Ukrainian bodies.
“I Want to Live” Project Exposes More
The discovery of Russian soldier remains was made in part through the “I Want to Live” initiative, a project aimed at identifying prisoners of war and war casualties.
Ukrainian authorities released photos and identification details of individuals Russia attempted to misrepresent as Ukrainians.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has invited families of Russian soldiers who suspect their relatives may be among the returned remains to contact the International Commission on Missing Persons.
