Ukraine returned to Russia the body of a Russian serviceman that had been previously handed over by Russia as part of prisoner exchange, during the repatriation of fallen soldiers on 29 January.

The first repatriation of bodies and remains of the fallen in 2026 took place on 29 January, with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The bodies of 38 deceased Russians were returned to Russia, including the body of a Russian serviceman that had been handed over to Ukraine by the Russian side during a previous repatriation.

Valentin Bozikov served in Russia's 55th Mountain Motor Rifle Brigade (military unit 55115) and had been listed as missing in action since February 2024.

At the 522nd Centre for the Reception, Processing and Dispatch of the Deceased in Rostov-on-Don no DNA sample was taken for identification, and the body bag was not opened.

I Want to Live have received over 160,000 reports concerning missing Russian servicemen since 2024.

This is not an isolated incident but a systemic problem.

Ukraine previously returned the bodies of 1,000 fallen soldiers during a repatriation mission on Jan. 29.