Norwegian support brings hope to families of Ukraine’s missing
The war in Ukraine has left a devastating impact on thousands of families, with over 57,000 people registered as missing. This includes both civilians and soldiers who have disappeared during fighting, forced deportations, and other war-related events. Thanks to a three-year project funded by Norway with NOK 100 million, the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is helping Ukraine strengthen its ability to locate the missing and support their families.
Many of those who are missing vanished during intense battles, while others were abducted or separated from their families. In Bakhmut, one of the most war-torn areas in the Donetsk region, Oksana Kuchkovska’s son disappeared in May 2023. She has devoted countless hours to searching for answers but is still waiting for news about his fate.
ICMP’s work is providing real hope for families like Kuchkovska’s. By collecting DNA samples from relatives, including those living in EU countries, ICMP is helping hundreds of families connect to the search for their loved ones.
How DNA is making a difference
With Norwegian funding, ICMP has developed a state-of-the-art DNA identification system that continuously compares DNA profiles from families of the missing with profiles from unidentified human remains. This technology allows ICMP to provide families with clear answers while also laying the groundwork for legal accountability. So far, ICMP has collected 379 DNA samples from Ukrainian families who are now living abroad.
In addition to using advanced technology, ICMP is also training Ukrainian authorities and specialists in areas like excavating mass graves and managing data effectively. These efforts are helping Ukraine address the massive challenge of finding and identifying the missing.
Families at the heart of ICMP’s work
Families are not just recipients of ICMP’s support; they are central to the process. ICMP recognizes that families play an essential role in identifying the missing by providing vital information and DNA samples.
ICMP keeps families informed and engaged, guiding them through complex identification processes while empowering them to actively participate. Family associations—many of which are led by women—receive training and support to advocate for their rights, contribute to awareness efforts, and provide critical input for investigations.
Kateryna Yanovska, who is searching for her missing father, explains the role of families:
"My mother spends almost all her time online, looking for any information she can find. It was through other families that we learned about ICMP, and now we’re part of this process by contributing our DNA samples."
ICMP also makes it easier for families who are separated from Ukraine to participate. For people like Vitaliya Bratyshchenko, who is currently in Poland, ICMP has organized DNA collection campaigns in other countries.
Building a long-term system
Norway’s support has been instrumental in creating a long-term system to address the issue of missing persons in Ukraine. ICMP is developing national databases, standard procedures, and partnerships with civil society organizations to ensure this vital work continues after the project ends.
These efforts, combined with the active participation of families, are building a foundation for accountability, reconciliation, and justice in Ukraine. With Norwegian funding, ICMP is not only helping families find their loved ones but also strengthening Ukraine’s capacity to address one of the war’s most painful consequences.