Overview
- Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters said it received 1,003 bodies that Russia claims are Ukrainian servicemembers.
- Kremlin adviser Vladimir Medinsky said 1,029 bodies were exchanged under the Istanbul deal, with Russia returning 1,003 and receiving 26 Russian remains.
- Ukrainian law enforcement investigators and Interior Ministry experts will conduct forensic examinations to establish identities.
- The operation was organized by Ukrainian security and defense institutions with assistance from the ICRC and civil-military cooperation units.
- The transfer continues a 2025 series of large repatriations of roughly 1,000 bodies each reported on Aug. 19, Oct. 23, and Nov. 20.