Kyiv, Ukraine – In a sobering update, Ukraine announced on Thursday that more than 26,000 individuals, including a significant number of civilians, remain unaccounted for since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion last year.
Estimating the exact number of missing persons has proven to be a challenge, given that Russian forces continue to occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukraine, and neither side regularly discloses information regarding military casualties.
Deputy Interior Minister Leonid Tymchenko delivered the unsettling news on national television, stating, “As of the present moment, more than 26,000 individuals are wanted and unaccounted for under special circumstances. Of these, 11,000 are civilians, while approximately 15,000 are military personnel.”
Interior Ministry spokeswoman Mariana Reva clarified that these figures only encompass individuals whose data has been officially verified, and she expressed concern that the numbers “could grow” as investigations continue.
Since the inception of the war, large portions of Ukrainian territory have remained under Russian occupation, leading to widespread devastation in towns and cities and a tragic loss of life.
Russia initiated its invasion in February 2022, prompting Ukraine to launch a counteroffensive in June with the aim of reclaiming the occupied territories. However, Ukrainian forces have encountered formidable Russian defenses, leading to slower progress than anticipated. The situation remains fluid as the conflict continues to evolve.