Over 90,000 people in Ukraine have the status of missing persons under special circumstances. Behind each entry in the register is a family living between hope and uncertainty, and at the same time, they have to deal with everyday matters – from searching for information to processing documents. In 2026, the state removed one of the bureaucratic obstacles that prevented relatives from obtaining certificates for the benefits provided by law for months. The change looks technical, but for families, it lifts part of the burden in an already exhausting period.
The Scale Behind the Statistics
Data from the Unified Register of Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances, provided by Ombudsman Artur Dobroserdem: as of February 2026, the register contains information about more than 90,000 people. These are military personnel and civilians, including children. The register started working in May 2023 and accumulates information from the police, military units, and the families themselves. A person is excluded from the list only when their whereabouts are established; even confirmation from Russia that the person is on their territory is not a reason to remove the entry. The numbers are constantly changing due to the repatriation of bodies, prisoner exchanges, and identification results.
What Exactly Changed
The Cabinet of Ministers, on the initiative of the Ministry of Defense, amended the Procedure for Issuing Certificates to family members of military personnel who died, were killed, or went missing during service. The main innovation concerns cases where a military person was considered missing for a long time, and then the court declared them dead or established the legal fact of their death. Now, such a court decision is a valid reason for issuing a certificate. The decision of the military-medical commission is not required, even if the person previously had the status of missing.
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Why the Previous Procedure Tormented Families
Before the update, the norms were applied ambiguously. While the military person was considered missing, the family was not required to provide the decision of the military-medical commission. As soon as the family obtained a court decision declaring the person dead, the formal status changed, and the authorities had a reason to request the same decision from the commission. Physically, this document might not have existed, and it was almost impossible to obtain it retroactively. The family was in a vicious circle: the court recognized the death, but the bureaucracy demanded a paper that no one could issue. The updated procedure breaks this circle.
Which Documents Remain Mandatory
The simplification only affected the decision of the military-medical commission; the rest of the requirements remained. To obtain a certificate, the family submits an extract from the order to exclude the military person from the personnel list or a copy of such an order. A death certificate or a court decision recognizing the person as missing or declaring them dead is required. A separate document is submitted to confirm the causes and circumstances of death, which confirms that it did not occur due to a criminal or administrative offense, intoxication, or intentional self-harm.
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What the Certificate Provides
The document provides access to social guarantees provided by law. This includes free travel on urban and suburban transport, a 50% discount on utility bills, the right to priority sanatorium and resort treatment, and additional leave. If the military person is later found alive or released from captivity, the status of missing is canceled, and the certificate must be returned. The updated procedure retains the previous scope of benefits and changes the procedure for obtaining them, making it more transparent and uniform in different regions.
Search and Identification Continue in Parallel
Obtaining benefits is just one aspect of the family’s long journey. The search for and establishment of the fate of missing persons are handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Coordination Headquarters, the National Information Bureau, and a number of other agencies, while the coordination and support of families are ensured by the Ombudsman’s Office. The identification of unidentified bodies is carried out using DNA samples from two close relatives or a sample from one relative using two different methods, and the state pays for these studies for the families. One attempt at expertise takes about one and a half months, and several attempts are needed for significantly damaged remains. Ukraine cooperates with the International Commission on Missing Persons, which continues to collect DNA samples in Europe. A hotline 1698 is available for families, and an application for a search can be submitted not only by a relative but also by anyone who has learned about the disappearance.
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What Families Should Remember
The Ombudsman warns families against scammers who profit from their grief and uncertainty. Russian structures use video appeals from prisoners to pressure relatives and persuade them to collect information or take other actions in exchange for promises. Caution in communication with unknown intermediaries protects both the family and the missing person. The state advises acting through official channels – the National Police, the Coordination Headquarters, the National Information Bureau, and the International Committee of the Red Cross – rather than through private individuals who offer to “accelerate” the search for a fee.
The material concerns a sensitive topic of loss and uncertainty. Families of missing persons can contact the hotline 1698 and the Ombudsman’s Office for support and consultations.
