Moscow: Russia and Ukraine on Thursday exchanged the bodies of fallen military personnel, according to officials from both sides. Russia returned the bodies of 252 Ukrainian military personnel, while Kyiv returned the remains of 23 Russian servicemen, authorities said.

According to Anadolu Agency, Russian State Duma deputy Shamsail Saraliev told the RBK news outlet that the swap took place at the Ukraine-Belarus border. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated on Telegram that law enforcement investigators, along with forensic specialists from Interior Ministry institutions, will conduct the necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies.

The previous such exchange occurred on August 13, when Russia returned the bodies of 261 Ukrainian servicemen and Ukraine returned the remains of 24 Russian servicemen.