Search for Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances
Ukrainian legislation pays particular attention to the legal category of a “person missing under special circumstances.” This status applies to persons who have gone missing as a direct result of armed conflict, hostilities, temporary occupation, or natural or man-made emergencies.
This status is distinct from the general “missing person” category, which does not require such specific circumstances.
Obtaining the status of a person missing under special circumstances (hereafter referred to as “missing persons”) allows family members to access additional support mechanisms, including government assistance and involvement of relevant state authorities, particularly the Commissioner for Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances (the Commissioner).
The Commissioner maintains communication with relatives of missing persons and provides updates on the status and results of the search.
As of April 2025, according to the Commissioner2, over 60,000 persons are registered as missing, with approximately 10,000 confirmed to be in captivity.
Since May 2023, the Unified Register of Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances has been operational. Managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Register is a central database designed to collect and track information about missing persons and is an essential tool for search efforts.
Where to File a Missing Person Report?
A report regarding a missing person under special circumstances should be submitted to the National Police of Ukraine. This can be done through the following channels:
- In person at the nearest police department
- By calling 102 (available 24/7)
- By email: [email protected]
- Via hotline: (0894) 200-18-67 or 0 800 212 151
Who Can File a Report?
- Relatives of the missing person;
- Representatives of military units;
- Government or local authorities;
- Civil society organizations;
- Any person who has information about the disappearance.
The report can also be submitted by the Commissioner, if any of the above persons contacts the Commissioner’s hotline (0 800 103 333) or uses the Commissioner’s official Telegram channel.
The information from such a report must be entered into the Unified Register of Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances within 24 hours after the National Police shares the details with the Commissioner.
Important Notes for Families
- Within 24 hours of filing the report, the police must also enter the case into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations (URPI).
- Families should record the registration number of their report and request an official extract from the URPI, which will include the name of the investigator in charge.
- Relatives may be asked to provide biological samples to create a DNA profile. Samples can be submitted both in Ukraine and through Ukrainian embassies abroad via the State Migration Service of Ukraine.
Which Authorities Are Involved in the Search?
- Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine – responsible for the search and maintaining the unified register
- Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (under the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense) – responsible for the return of prisoners of war and bodies of the deceased
- Ministry of Defense – conducts search operations through dedicated teams
All of these actors have access to the Unified Register of Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances to ensure coordinated data collection and action.
If the police establish that a military servicemember is in captivity or has died, the case is transferred to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) for further investigation.
Additional Support
You can also contact the National Information Bureau (NIB) by calling 1648 or +38 (044) 287-81-65 (for international calls). The NIB collects, processes, and maintains data on missing, unlawfully detained, displaced, or deceased persons.
A detailed action plan and support guide for families of missing, captured, or deceased servicemembers is available on the Coordination Headquarters’ official website: 🔗 https://roadmap.koordshtab.gov.ua/roadmap-for-families-of-the-military
To monitor the status of a captured servicemember, families are encouraged to create a personal account on the Coordination Headquarters’ website, submit all available information, and use the “Personal Cabinet” to track updates and receive online legal consultations.