During previous repatriations, Russia at times returned the bodies of its own soldiers to Kyiv, with Ukrainian officials alleging the practice may have been aimed at avoiding compensation payments to Russian families or reflected a "negligent attitude toward their own people."

The war correspondent said that 24 fallen soldiers returned to Russia

The bodies of 261 people have been brought back to Ukraine as a result of repatriation efforts. The Russian side claims they belong to Ukrainian service members.