Inside the Grim Task of Repatriating Ukraine's Fallen Soldiers

In a secluded morgue near Kyiv, the air is thick with the overpowering odor of decay. A large white bag on a steel table is opened by the mortician, revealing a smaller black bag with mud-caked military boots, a mummified body, and a skull. This is all that remains of a Ukrainian soldier returned from Russian captivity. The arduous process of identifying him now begins.

The Reality of the Missing

Since the onset of Russia's comprehensive invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, over 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have vanished. Soldiers frequently disappear after clashes with Russian forces—some are taken prisoners, others fall in battle and are used as bargaining chips in exchange programs with Moscow.

The unending uncertainty tortures the families of the missing, leaving them with no clue as to their loved ones' whereabouts, condition, or whether they're even alive.

The Investigators' Role

Central to the search operations are approximately 1,300 investigators from Ukraine's National Police war crimes division. These professionals, many of them just starting their careers, juggle a massive workload, often toiling from dawn to dusk over weekends to track, retrieve, and identify the missing.

They interview anyone who might have information, search social media and phone records, gather DNA, and coordinate with the government's efforts. Their work is a vital line of support for families drowning in uncertainty for long periods.

Maksym Kot's Commitment

At the Brovary police station, investigator Maksym Kot receives about 50 calls daily, mostly from families anxiously looking for 400 missing soldiers he helps to locate. The young investigator, just two years out of police academy, handles the complex cases of disappeared soldiers alone in this sizable city.

Kot begins his investigations with the missing persons report filed by a soldier's family. He learns of the soldier's disappearance, known witnesses, or suspected Russian perpetrators, then questions associates and relatives to piece together their final known actions.

Gathering Clues and Offering Hope

Family members share intimate memories and unique identifiers of the soldiers—such as photos, tattoos, and the last communications. DNA samples are provided to find matches with any remains received from Russia.

Communicating with these families involves an emotional toll as they grapple with despair. With disturbing stories of POW torture by Russian captors, hope is what Kot encourages them to hold onto—a notion he constantly reiterates, 'hope is the last to die.'

A Young Woman's Search

Nadiia, a 21-year-old, arrives at Kot's office concerning her father, Pavlo, who vanished amidst conflict in the east. As she provides a DNA sample, her optimism remains that her father might still be alive.

Kot navigates the bureaucratic maze to officially open a missing soldier case, gaining access to communication records that might hold clues.

Collaborative Efforts and Observations

The International Committee of the Red Cross plays a notable role in this grim work. Though not flawless, it maintains records of POWs, helping bridge gaps in these long and painful waits for information.

Every discovery, every lead, offers flickers of hope. Kot finds footage showing a missing soldier in captivity, informing his overjoyed mother swiftly.

Perpetual Search and the Toll It Takes

Despite setbacks and immense emotional burden, Kot ensures he never displays fatigue to the families he supports. The resilience he builds through thousands of cases keeps him going, although each story profoundly affects him.

Nataliia's Unanswered Questions

Nataliia's husband Oleksandr disappeared a few days after their wedding amid intense conflict. Her journey alongside Kot in search of answers turns into a profound emotional struggle.

Her hope shatters upon hearing initial reports of Oleksandr's death, prompting Kot to undertake further investigations to verify the facts with witnesses.

The Somber Return of Soldiers

The process of returning bodies is grueling. Nearly 100 soldiers' remains arrive biweekly, delivered in anonymous states requiring identification amidst an overwhelmed forensic system.

A sudden influx of thousands of bodies exacerbates the system's strain, highlighting the daunting ongoing endeavors to match these remains with the missing.

Forensic Challenges

Victoriia Konopatska, a senior investigator, confronts the formidable challenge of identifying returned soldiers. Her role entails enduring the persistent scent of decay, working through profound levels of decomposition to establish identities.

The bodies contain fragments and possessions offering minimal clues—yet each is precious to families yearning for closure.

Concluding the Identification

Once forensic assessments are complete, identification matches are made, sometimes taking torturous durations. Olha Sydorenko handles the delicate task of informing families, a heart-wrenching duty performed thousands of times.

Each family seeks the hardest answers, with some choosing not to view their loved ones’ remains to preserve memories of them in life.