Headlines
Russia and Ukraine carry out new exchange of war dead
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 29, 2026
1 min readLast updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary
Russia and Ukraine exchanged war dead, with Russia returning 1,000 Ukrainian bodies and Ukraine 38 Russian. This regular practice allows families to bury their loved ones.
Russia and Ukraine Conduct Latest Exchange of War Casualties
Details of the War Dead Exchange
MOSCOW/KYIV, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Russia and Ukraine said on Thursday that they had carried out the latest exchange of their war dead, a regular practice designed to allow relatives of those killed on the battlefield to bury their loved ones.
Number of Bodies Exchanged
Russia handed Ukraine 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, the two countries said in statements. Kyiv had handed Moscow the bodies of 38 Russian soldiers, Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky said.
Confirmation from Coordination Centre
Medinsky posted an image on Telegram of the exchange showing white refrigerated trucks parked on a snow-covered area next to a wood with people clad in white biohazard suits standing around.
Previous Exchanges and Context
Ukraine's coordination centre for prisoner exchanges confirmed an exchange of bodies had taken place, saying on Telegram that Russia had handed Kyiv 1,000 bodies which Moscow claimed belonged to Ukrainian soldiers.
While Kyiv and Moscow continue regular exchanges of their war dead, the last time they exchanged prisoners of war was in October 2025. Both sides accuse each other of stalling new prisoner exchanges.
(Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn)
Key Takeaways
- •Russia and Ukraine exchanged bodies of soldiers killed in conflict.
- •Russia handed over 1,000 Ukrainian bodies, while Ukraine returned 38 Russian bodies.
- •The exchange is a regular practice for burial purposes.
- •The last prisoner exchange occurred in October 2025.
- •Both sides accuse each other of delaying prisoner exchanges.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia and Ukraine carry out new exchange of war dead
1What is a war dead exchange?
A war dead exchange is a process where opposing sides in a conflict return the bodies of their fallen soldiers to allow for proper burial by their families.
2What is a coordination centre?
A coordination centre is an organization or facility that manages and facilitates operations, such as exchanges or negotiations, often during conflicts or humanitarian efforts.
3What is the significance of confirming exchanges?
Confirming exchanges of war dead is significant as it provides closure to families and maintains a level of humanity amidst conflict.
