Ukraine has repatriated more than 10,000 bodies of fallen defenders from various front directions in 2025, according to Volodymyr Bilenko, representative of the General Staff’s search operations department, who spoke at a briefing in the Ukraine Media Center.

Bilenko said that specialists typically conduct forensic molecular DNA analysis to establish the identity of the deceased. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 23 laboratories across Ukraine currently perform DNA examinations of repatriated defenders.

“The Ministry of Internal Affairs is increasing the number of expert institutions conducting DNA examinations. Currently, the MIA system has 20 institutions performing such examinations. This year, three additional laboratories opened in the Ministry of Health system,” said Anastasiia Shydlovska, head of the MIA’s missing persons department.

Shydlovska said that Ukraine is doing everything possible to conduct necessary research as quickly as possible and establish the identities of repatriated servicemen. Beyond DNA analysis, experts utilize specialized software that allows identification of defenders through distinctive features.

Earlier this year in Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia reached agreements for the repatriation of “6000 for 6000” bodies of fallen military personnel. The MIA explained that complete identification of the bodies returned to Ukraine will require up to 14 months.

Among the repatriated bodies, authorities discovered at least three that do not belong to Ukrainian defenders. Ukraine has called on relatives of missing Russian soldier to provide DNA samples abroad to return the mistakenly transferred bodies to Russia.