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Russia-Ukraine Body Exchange at the Belarus Border
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Body Swap at Novaya Guta
On September 17, 2026, Russian and Ukrainian officials confirmed the exchange of fallen soldiers at the Novaya Guta crossing point on the Ukraine-Belarus border. Russia handed over the remains of 252 Ukrainian servicemen, while Ukraine returned the remains of 23 Russian servicemen. The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the transfer, and Belarusian state media described the operation as part of the country’s “humanitarian mission.”
Background and Recent Exchanges
Since President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion in 2022, repatriations of dead combatants and prisoner-of-war swaps have been among the few direct communication channels between the warring parties. The most recent swap follows an earlier exchange that occurred in August, when roughly 260 Ukrainian bodies were returned to Russia and about two dozen Russian bodies were sent to Ukraine.
Numbers and Logistics
- 252 Ukrainian bodies were delivered by Russian authorities.
- 23 Russian bodies were delivered by Ukrainian authorities.
- Identification of the 252 Ukrainian remains will be carried out by Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, working with forensic specialists from the Interior Ministry.
- Belarusian state news agency Belta released photographs of the handover, underscoring the logistical role of Belarus as the neutral venue.
Official Responses
State Duma deputy Shamsail Saraliyev (United Russia) told the RBK news outlet that the swap took place at the Ukraine-Belarus border and highlighted Belarus’s continued humanitarian involvement. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters announced that law-enforcement investigators and forensic experts will examine the repatriated bodies to confirm identities. Russian officials described the exchange as a fulfillment of humanitarian obligations under the Geneva Conventions.
Implications for Humanitarian Channels
The exchange demonstrates that, despite ongoing hostilities, both sides remain willing to cooperate on limited humanitarian matters. The involvement of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Belarus suggests a multilateral framework that could sustain future swaps, offering a modest but tangible avenue for dialogue amid broader diplomatic stagnation.
