Ukraine Approves Unified Procedure for Identifying the Deceased Military Personnel, Civilians

Ukraine's government has adopted a single set of procedures for the teams responsible for identifying the bodies of fallen soldiers and civilians, according to Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi. This unified set of rules applies to all interagency regional teams, covering examinations, forensic medical studies, collection of biological samples, and documentation. A coding system has been introduced to ensure accurate records and prevent loss of crucial data needed to establish identities.

Koretskyi noted that this unified approach aims to eliminate unnecessary delays, enhance the quality of research, and improve coordination among teams at every stage of the identification process. The draft 2027 budget allocates more than Hr 600 million ($13.26 million) for forensic medical examinations, including equipment for regional bureaus, he added.

"For families to receive reliable information about the fate of their loved ones faster and be able to bid them a dignified farewell is important," Koretskyi emphasized. Identifying the dead often involves matching DNA from remains with samples from relatives, a challenge in Ukraine due to the difficulty of retrieving bodies from battlefields or attack sites.

Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov reported on Oct. 2 that over 26,000 bodies and remains have been returned from Russia, with a significant portion remaining unidentified, though he did not provide a specific number for the unidentified dead.