KYIV, Ukraine — On Friday, Ukrainian officials announced that Russia has returned the remains of 501 soldiers to Ukraine, marking what seems to be the largest repatriation of deceased soldiers since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The majority of these soldiers lost their lives during confrontations in the Donetsk region, particularly around Avdiivka, which Russian troops managed to seize in February after an extensive and arduous conflict. This information was conveyed by Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War in an official statement.
Following the return, law enforcement and forensic specialists will undertake the process of identifying the deceased personnel. Once identified, the bodies will be handed over to their families, who will then have the opportunity to proceed with burial arrangements.
The ongoing conflict is estimated to have claimed the lives of tens of thousands of military personnel on both sides; however, there are currently no verified statistics or independent tallies available regarding these casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently shared parts of his “victory plan,” which seeks to encourage Russia to engage in negotiations to bring an end to the war. This plan is under review by Ukraine’s Western allies, whose support is crucial for Ukraine in its struggle against the more powerful Russia. A significant component of this strategy involves a formal NATO invitation, a notion that Western allies have appeared hesitant to entertain until the conflict reaches a conclusion.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden convened with various European leaders in Berlin and emphasized the necessity for Ukraine’s Western partners to remain steadfast in their support for Kyiv during this tumultuous period.
Zelenskyy has raised concerns about Russia receiving assistance from countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea. The South Korean intelligence agency reported on Friday that North Korea has deployed military personnel to aid Russia in its efforts against Ukraine.
Furthermore, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian Military Intelligence, revealed that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are currently training in Russia, preparing to enter the conflict against Ukraine. Budanov mentioned that the initial group of 2,600 North Korean soldiers is set to bolster the Russian forces in Kursk, a region along the Russian border that has been contested by Ukraine since early August.
As the discussions among global leaders regarding the next steps in the conflict continue, fighting in the region persists. On Thursday night, Russia launched 135 Shahed drones, along with several other unidentified drones, targeting various locations across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force. This attack was characterized as one of the most significant drone offensives witnessed throughout the war.
While the air force indicated that many of these drones were intercepted, there have been no official updates regarding casualties or property damage from the assault.