Ukraine returns bodies of 77 fallen defenders from Russia

According to Ukrinform, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported this in a telegram.

"Another repatriation event took place, as a result of which the dead soldiers were returned to Ukraine: the bodies (remains) of 77 Ukrainian defenders were returned to the territory controlled by the government of Ukraine today," the statement said.

The institution added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will ensure the transportation of repatriated bodies and remains to designated state specialized institutions for transfer to law enforcement officials and forensic experts to identify the victims.

As noted, preparations for the repatriation event had been underway for a long time. Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Armed Forces, the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy Oblast, the State Border Guard Service and other representatives of the security and defense sector of Ukraine helped to return the bodies of the defenders.

The Coordination Center expressed special gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets cannot say that there were Ukrainian prisoners of war on board the Russian Il-76 plane that crashed on January 24 in Belgorod region.