Since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, at least 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have been reported missing. Many soldiers go missing after encounters with Russian forces, while prisoners of war and dead bodies often serve as bargaining tools. A dedicated team of approximately 1,300 investigators within Ukraine's National Police manages these cases, sometimes working long hours and handling hundreds of cases each. Their efforts include witness interviews, social media searches, DNA collection, and ongoing communication with affected families, providing essential support amidst uncertainty.
In the back room of a morgue on the outskirts of Kyiv, the stench of rotten flesh hangs heavy in the air, its source a large white bag lying on a metal table.
At least 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have been reported missing since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine began three and a half years ago.
Each investigator, some in their early 20s and fresh out of the police academy, manages hundreds of cases at a time, working early mornings, late nights, and weekends to locate, return, and identify the missing.
They interview witnesses, scour social media and cellphone records, collect DNA samples, and coordinate with the Ukrainian government.
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