Russia and Ukraine Exchange 252 and 25 Bodies
The Russian side returned the bodies of 252 people to Ukraine; Ukraine returned the bodies of 25 deceased to Russia.
Consensus
- The exchange of bodies took place on October 22.
- The exchange occurred at the 'Novaya Guta' checkpoint in Belarus.
- Russia transferred 252 bodies to Ukraine.
- Ukraine transferred 25 bodies to Russia.
- The exchange was confirmed by Ukraine's Coordinating Staff on POW Affairs.
- The previous exchange occurred on September 17.
- Russia returned 23 bodies to Ukraine during the previous exchange.
- Ukraine received 252 bodies during the previous exchange.
Points of divergence
- The number of bodies transferred has decreased over time due to changes in combat tactics, including the rise of 'gray zones' and smaller unit operations. — tg_rybar
- Ukraine consistently stated that the 252 bodies were 'claimed by Russia to belong to Ukrainian servicemen,' suggesting potential deception or manipulation. — tg_rybar
- Ukraine's Coordinating Staff stated that the 252 bodies returned were 'claimed by Russia to be Ukrainian soldiers.' — tg_bbcrussian
- Ukraine has not officially reported the exchange, despite confirmation from its Coordinating Staff. — tg_radiosvoboda
- The exchange was the ninth in 2026, with earlier exchanges involving larger numbers (e.g., 1,000 at a time in January, February, and April). — tg_rybar
- The last prisoner exchange occurred in August, involving 10 prisoners of war and 10 civilians. — meduza
Coverage (20 sources)
- Russia and Ukraine plan exchange of prisoners — Фонтанка
- Russia and Ukraine again exchanged bodies of fallen soldiers — Коммерсантъ
- In Belarus, Russia and Ukraine conducted the 9th exchange of fallen soldiers' bodies since the start of the year — РИАМО
- Another exchange of bodies — Рыбарь
- Ukraine and Russia exchanged bodies of fallen soldiers — ЭХО / Новости
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of fallen soldiers — Meduza
- Russia and Ukraine conducted exchange of deceased bodies — BBC News Русская служба
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of military personnel — The Insider
- Media reported on exchange of deceased bodies between Ukraine and Russia — Радио Свобода
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of fallen soldiers — Фонтанка
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of the dead in a 252 to 25 format, — RBC — ASTRA
- Russia returned 252 bodies of VU fighters to Ukraine for 25 dead Russian military — Ведомости
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of the deceased — Настоящее Время
- Russia and Ukraine conducted exchange of deceased bodies — Дождь (Telegram)
- Russia and Ukraine conducted exchange of deceased bodies — Вести
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged military bodies in the Belarusian border region, reports BelTA. — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of fallen soldiers — Вечерняя Москва
- Russia and Ukraine conducted exchange of fallen soldiers' bodies – on Belarusian territory, writes BelTA. — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of fallen soldiers — Коммерсантъ
- In the State Duma, the exchange of bodies of military personnel between Russia and Ukraine was announced — Фонтанка
Key entities
- Ukraine
- Russia
- RBC
- Moscow
- Kyiv
- State Duma
- Shamsail Saraliev
- BelTA
- Belarus
- Novaya Guta
- Media
- Belarus
- Ukrainian Armed Forces
- SVO
- Coordination Staff