Red Cross Facilitates Body Repatriation Between Ukraine and Russia

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is playing a crucial role in the repatriation of remains between Ukraine and Russia, facilitating the exchange of approximately 1,000 bodies each month. This effort, described by ICRC Director General Pierre Krähenbühl as a response to the “scale and scope of the consequences” of military conflict, represents one of the few concrete outcomes of ongoing talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

ICRC’s Role as a Neutral Intermediary

The ICRC acts as a neutral intermediary in this sensitive process, assisting in the return of remains to both sides. Krähenbühl highlighted the organization’s support for forensic institutions in Ukraine, where “thousands and thousands of unidentified bodies are kept.” Staff are working diligently to identify the deceased and provide answers to grieving families.

Scale of the Humanitarian Challenge

The sheer number of unidentified remains is unprecedented in recent conflicts, according to the ICRC. A significant proportion of these bodies are those of soldiers, a distinction from many other conflicts where civilian casualties are more prevalent. This aspect of the conflict is particularly “striking,” Krähenbühl noted.

Recent ICRC Activities in Ukraine

In Kyiv region, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has been providing assistance following recent Russian missile and drone attacks as reported on March 14, 2026. Volunteers have offered first aid to the wounded and assisted with firefighting efforts. The URCS also continues to provide humanitarian aid, including emergency kits and heaters, to vulnerable populations, such as families of children with disabilities receiving rehabilitation at the Kyiv City Centre for the Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities as of March 16, 2026.

Support for Rehabilitation Centers

The Ukrainian Red Cross has provided 250 emergency kits and 85 convector heaters to families of children undergoing rehabilitation at the Kyiv City Centre for the Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities, which was established in 2017 and serves children with special needs aged 2 to 18. The center provides a range of therapies, including sensory integration, occupational, and art therapy, and also offers psychological and legal support to families.

Kyiv Regional Organization and International Collaboration

The Kyiv regional organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross has been collaborating with international partners, such as the Irish Red Cross and the British Red Cross. In 2024, the Kyiv regional organization received a delegation from the Irish Red Cross as of June 17, 2024, and received two Peugeot Traveler minivans from the British Red Cross for its Home Care project.