The bodies of 261 Ukrainians have been returned to Ukraine: the identification process has begun

This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The identities of the repatriated individuals can be definitively confirmed and their names established following forensic medical and genetic examinations.

Law enforcement investigators, together with forensic experts from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, have already begun the necessary legal proceedings.

The repatriation was made possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of a wide range of agencies within Ukraine’s Security and Defense Sector, including:

• the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War;
• The Joint Center under the Security Service of Ukraine;
• the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine;
• The Office of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights;
• The Secretariat of the Commissioner for Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances;
• State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The process also took place with the assistance and support of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

As a reminder, on July 16, as a result of repatriation efforts, the bodies of 501 deceased individuals were returned to Ukraine; according to the Russian side, these may be Ukrainian servicemen.