Russian and Ukrainian ombudsmen have continued a pattern of prisoner visits, with twelve documented rounds involving military personnel in the two countries since November of 2023. Reports indicate the exchanges and visits persist as part of ongoing humanitarian and consular efforts, a development tracked by communications from the Russian side and reported by the media outlet TASS [Source: TASS].
Officials from both sides have signaled a mutual interest in maintaining contact with captured service members. This ongoing engagement underscores a broader effort to monitor treatment, ensure access to consular channels, and facilitate any necessary coordination on prisoner welfare and repatriation processes that may arise in the future [Source: TASS].
Dmitry Lubinets, who previously served as the Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights, acknowledged that he had not received a formal list detailing Ukrainian military personnel aboard the Il-76 transport aircraft involved in the Belgorod incident. The absence of a complete roster at that moment highlighted the complexity of intergovernmental exchanges and the sensitive nature of ongoing investigations and family notification procedures [Source: Ukrainian ombudsman communications].
Lubinets also indicated Kiev’s willingness to receive the remains of Ukrainian soldiers if that step becomes appropriate under the established protocols. He stressed that Ukrainian authorities are prepared to initiate related procedures whenever conditions allow, emphasizing readiness to respond to evolving humanitarian and legal processes as they develop [Source: Ukrainian authorities].
On March 1, reports from the Russian Ombudsman indicated Moscow’s readiness to transfer the bodies of Ukrainian military personnel aboard the Il-76 to Kyiv. The statements suggested that Russia possesses the necessary administrative and logistical capacity to carry out the respectful return of remains through the agreed channels, pending the completion of procedural requirements and family notification protocols [Source: Russian ombudsperson communications].
The Il-76 aircraft incident, which raised questions about the fate of captured personnel destined for Belgorod, occurred on January 24, 2024. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the aircraft was shot down, a determination that has complicated existing diplomatic and humanitarian interactions and has prompted calls for clarifying investigations and follow-up actions for all those affected [Source: Russian Ministry of Defense statements].
Earlier discussions in Russia referenced the possibility of creating a mechanism to integrate prisoners of war from the Armed Forces of Ukraine into civilian life, signaling a broader interest in the long-term reintegration and support of servicemen once hostilities de-escalate. This concept reflects ongoing debates about post-conflict arrangements, rehabilitation pathways, and the steps needed to address the needs of former combatants within civil society [Source: Russian policy debates].