The remains of an occupier, who was handed over to Ukraine under the guise of an AFU soldier, have been returned to Russia

On Thursday, January 29, Russia returned the body of its soldier, who was handed over to Ukraine by the Russian side during the previous repatriation. About this reported ukrainian state project "I Want to Live".

On this day, the first repatriation of bodies and remains of the dead in 2026 took place with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The bodies of 38 dead occupiers were returned to Russia, including the body of a Russian Armed Forces serviceman who had been transferred to Ukraine by the Russian side in the previous repatriation.

The Russian Federation has repeatedly handed over the bodies of its soldiers under the guise of Ukrainian Armed Forces. on January 29, Ukraine returned the body of Valentin Evdokimovich Bozykov, a Russian soldier of the 55th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (military unit No. 55115), originally from Khakassia.

He went missing almost two years ago – in February 2024. The Ministry of Defense of the aggressor state, instead of handing over the body to the family, sent it to Ukraine as part of repatriation.

At the 522nd center for the reception, processing and dispatch of the dead in Rostov-on-Don, it is likely that not only was DNA not taken for examination, but the body bag was not even opened, as it was visually obvious that it was wearing Russian army camouflage. The body was also not checked for personal belongings and documents.

In total, since 2024, the project has received more than 160,000 applications for missing servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces.

• On June 16, 2025, Klymenko stated that during repatriations Russia handed over to Ukraine the bodies of its military mixed with those of Ukrainian defenders.
• July 2, Ukraine returned the bodies to the Russian Federation two occupants, whom the enemy passed off as Ukrainian soldiers.