Kyiv plans faster ID of Ukrainian war dead returned from Russia

Kyrylo Budanov revealed that Ukraine is drafting a scheme to accelerate the identification of bodies and remains brought back from Russia, where over 26,000 have been returned so far. A significant share of these remains remain unnamed, leaving families in prolonged uncertainty. At a meeting on Oct. 2 with relatives of the deceased and the Coordinating Council on the Protection of the Rights of War Veterans and Family Members, participants agreed on steps to quicken identification.

An inter-agency organization will monitor regional forensic departments and seek additional international DNA assistance. The government will also issue necessary legal and regulatory changes to eliminate procedural hold-ups. Budanov called the swift identification of each fallen hero a state responsibility and promised that every soldier will be properly honored.