Fact Check: Ukraine returned more than 65% of all human remains during the war in 2025.

Fact Check: "Ukraine returned more than 65% of all human remains during the war in 2025."

What We Know

The claim that "Ukraine returned more than 65% of all human remains during the war in 2025" suggests a significant volume of repatriated bodies. Reports indicate that Ukraine has indeed been involved in extensive efforts to repatriate the remains of fallen soldiers. For instance, as of June 2025, Ukraine repatriated 1,200 bodies from Russia as part of an agreement reached during peace talks, marking one of the largest returns of remains since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022 (AP News). Additionally, Ukrainian officials stated that they had received a total of 6,057 bodies in recent exchanges (Reuters).

However, the broader context of total human remains returned during the entire conflict is crucial. Estimates suggest that the total number of Ukrainian military casualties has surpassed 46,000 killed, with many more wounded (Wikipedia). The total number of bodies repatriated in 2025, while substantial, represents only a fraction of the total casualties since the beginning of the conflict.

Analysis

The claim hinges on the interpretation of the percentage of bodies returned relative to the total number of casualties. While Ukraine has indeed repatriated thousands of bodies in 2025, the assertion that this constitutes more than 65% of all human remains returned during the war is misleading.

As per the reports, Ukraine has repatriated over 10,000 bodies throughout 2025 (Gwara Media). However, if we consider the total estimated military casualties, which are over 46,000, the percentage of bodies returned would be significantly lower than 65%. This discrepancy indicates that while Ukraine has made considerable efforts to recover and identify fallen soldiers, the claim does not accurately reflect the total context of casualties and repatriations.

The sources used to support the claim, such as Gwara Media, may not be as widely recognized or verified compared to major news outlets like AP News and Reuters. This raises concerns about the reliability of the figures presented in less established sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that "Ukraine returned more than 65% of all human remains during the war in 2025" is false. While Ukraine has repatriated a significant number of bodies, this figure does not represent more than 65% of all human remains returned throughout the conflict. The total casualties far exceed the number of bodies repatriated, making the claim misleading.

Fact Check: Ukraine returned more than 65% of all human remains during the war in 2025.