Key points
- The DNA collection programme has been extended to five European countries.
- The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Police of Ukraine and the Commissioner for Missing Persons.
- Application deadline: by 1 June 2026 in the UK and Ireland, and by 1 May 2026 in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
- You must first submit an application and then undergo the procedure for providing biological samples at designated collection points.
Ukrainians living abroad can now provide DNA samples to help locate missing relatives in a further five European countries. This was announced by Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights.
These countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
The initiative is being implemented in cooperation with the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine and the Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances.
In the UK and Ireland, applications are being accepted until 1 June 2026. In Italy, Spain and Portugal, the deadline is 1 May 2026.
First, an application is submitted, followed by the collection of biological samples at designated collection points.
The expansion of the DNA collection area is due to the fact that, because of the war, many Ukrainians are currently abroad. This will enable more families to be involved in the search and improve the effectiveness of identifying missing persons.
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