Fact Check: "As of June 2025, Russia has handed over 6,060 bodies, which it claims are those of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war."
What We Know
As of June 2025, reports confirm that Russia has indeed handed over a total of 6,060 bodies to Ukraine, which it claims are those of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the ongoing conflict. This figure was reported by multiple sources, including a statement from Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, who confirmed the transfer during a press briefing (source-3). The Ukrainian government has also acknowledged receiving 1,245 bodies in a recent exchange, bringing the total to 6,057, as reported by the BBC (source-2).
However, the Ukrainian Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, raised concerns regarding the identification process, stating that the bodies returned were often in a "mutilated state" and that there were instances of bodies being mixed, complicating verification (source-4). This indicates a lack of trust in the claims made by Russia about the identities of the deceased soldiers.
Analysis
The claim that 6,060 bodies have been handed over is supported by official statements from both Russian and Ukrainian sources. However, the reliability of these claims is complicated by the ongoing conflict and the historical context of misinformation from both sides. While the numbers reported are consistent across various outlets, the Ukrainian government has expressed skepticism about the accuracy of the identification process, suggesting that the figures may not fully represent Ukrainian casualties (source-1, source-4).
The Red Cross, which monitored the repatriation process, has refrained from verifying the exact numbers, stating that it is up to the involved parties to manage the details of the exchange (source-2). This lack of independent verification raises questions about the credibility of the claims made by both Russia and Ukraine.
Conclusion
The claim that "As of June 2025, Russia has handed over 6,060 bodies, which it claims are those of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war" is Partially True. While the number of bodies reported is consistent across multiple credible sources, the identification and verification of these bodies remain contentious issues. The Ukrainian government has expressed doubts about the accuracy of the claims, indicating that the situation is more complex than it appears. Thus, while the figure itself is accurate, the context surrounding it introduces significant uncertainty.
Sources
- Ukraine says repatriation of war dead over after ...
- Russia and Ukraine fulfil deal to repatriate dead soldiers
- Russia transfers bodies of over 6000 soldiers to Ukraine
- Ukraine alleges Russia is mixing its dead into collection ... - UPI
- Reddit - Dive into anything
- Russia and Ukraine fulfil deal to repatriate dead soldiers
- Over 6000 Bodies Returned to Ukraine as Final Stage of ...
- Russia says it has handed over 6060 Ukrainian soldiers' bodies
