Volunteers in Ukraine try to recover and identify bodies of soldiers who died in the war, both Ukrainian and Russian. It brings solace to families of the dead and also makes the death official, which can help families claim compensation.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Volunteers in Ukraine are working amidst the ongoing conflict to recover and identify the bodies of fallen soldiers, a task encompassing both Ukrainian and Russian personnel. Their mission is not only humanitarian but also assists families in achieving closure by officially recognizing the death of their loved ones. This process is critical for families to claim compensation and to honor the memory of the deceased with dignity.

At the heart of these efforts is a group led by a man named Vladimir. His team conducts their dangerous work near the frontlines, beginning their search by meticulously clearing the area of explosives, which are often hidden beneath the ground, including beneath the bodies of fallen soldiers. This initial step underscores the perilous conditions under which these volunteers operate. Reports suggest that the war has already resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, leaving many bodies in the rural expanses of eastern Ukraine.

The work of these volunteers is complex and emotionally taxing. For instance, Vladimir's team recently discovered ten corpses in a forest, highlighting the gruesome reality of their task. Among the heartbreaking finds are personal items that may help in identifying the deceased, including a notebook containing contact information thought to belong to a soldier's daughter. Such discoveries are essential for establishing the identity of the fallen and facilitating the process of returning them to their families.

In an effort to identify Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers rely on an extensive DNA database. Amazingly, even the tiniest remains, such as fragments of fingers or teeth found in animal feces, can be crucial for identification. This determination and dedication to the task at hand illustrate the volunteers' commitment to ensuring that every soldier, regardless of the side they fought for, is returned to their family for a proper burial.

Identification techniques can include the analysis of distinguishing features such as tattoos or specific types of boots. Alexei, another volunteer, mentioned that these markers can help ascertain which side a soldier fought for, an important detail in the respectful repatriation and burial process. This ethos of humanity in the midst of war is poignant, emphasizing the belief that every individual deserves a dignified burial.

The work of these volunteers is not without potential long-term benefits. Recovered bodies of Russian soldiers, for example, may be used in exchanges for the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers found in occupied territories. This aspect of their work underscores the broader implications of their efforts for both sides involved in the conflict.

Their dedication provides solace to grieving families, knowing their loved ones can be laid to rest with the respect they deserve. Moreover, by securing an official declaration of death, these families can pursue financial support, offering a semblance of relief amid their loss. The volunteers' work is a testament to their humanity, bridging the gap between loss and closure in times of war.



Volunteers bring back bodies from Ukrainian frontlines

Watch out, explosion. Vladimir and his team have come here, close to the front line, to find the bodies of soldiers. Their work at a new search site usually begins like this, clearing the area of explosives, some of them booby traps. The Russians usually leave surprises everywhere. They can even be under dead bodies. It's generally accepted that hundreds of thousands of soldiers have died in this war already. Many of their bodies still lie here, in the rural areas of eastern Ukraine. It doesn't take long before Vladimir's team finds something. People here had chickens, ducks, cows and pigs on their farms. When they had to flee, they couldn't take them with them and abandoned the animals. My experience tells me these are not human bones. A little further south, another team lays out what they brought back from a search operation. They found ten corpses in a forest. Much of it was too disturbing to show here. Sometimes the soldiers carried vital clues with them. We have a notebook with some phone numbers here. This is probably his daughter's contact. With this information, it should be easy to establish his identity. Even the smallest physical remains can be enough to identify Ukrainian soldiers. There's an extensive DNA database. We found tiny pieces of fingers, teeth and fragments of all kinds of bones in the feces of animals. If there's any chance to identify a person, we don't shy away from anything. It's important that everyone is brought back to their families. Alexei says they can tell what side soldiers were on from identifying features like tattoos or boots. These today are probably Russians. They kill us, but we remain human. Every person should be buried with dignity. Back with Vladimir's team, many hours of searching have paid off. They've found the remains of several soldiers. Based on the location, Vladimir concludes that these are also Russian bodies. He says they might be able to exchange them for the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers found in occupied territory. We put them in a bag and store them. Later, special officers will come and use them in exchange processes. The volunteers here know their work gives grieving families the chance to bury their dead. It also gives them something for the future. Having an official declaration of death makes it easier for relatives to claim financial support.

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Ukraine Invasion