During the latest repatriation to Ukraine from Russia, the remains of the deceased requiring additional identification were transferred, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday, commenting on a statement made by Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova about the transfer to Ukraine of the bodies of prisoners of war (POW) who allegedly died in the downing of Il-76 in the Belgorod region on January 24, 2024.

"As for the statements of the Russian side about the transfer of the bodies of Ukrainian defenders, probably killed during the downing of the Il-76 airplane, during the last repatriation to Ukraine from the aggressor state, the remains of the deceased, requiring additional identification, were transferred," the Coordination HQ said.

Currently, expert institutions within the framework of criminal proceedings are establishing whether the remains of these persons really belong to Ukrainian servicemen.

The Coordination HQ emphasized that it monitors the situation and is in cooperation with all authorized institutions.

As reported, on January 24, 2024, an Il-76 military plane went down in the Belgorod region, Russia.

After the downing of the Russian Il-76, Russian media circulated statements by the chairman of the Russian State Duma's defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, that it allegedly carried dozens of Ukrainian POWs who were being taken for exchange.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine confirmed that a prisoner swap was scheduled for January 24.

On Monday, the Russian media quoted Moskalkova as saying that "the bodies of the prisoners of war" were handed over to Ukraine and that she "was present" at the exchange.