Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian hostages are in the Russian Federation
Persons missing under special circumstances are people who disappeared in connection with an armed conflict, military operations, or occupation of the territories of Ukraine, as well as in connection with natural and man-made emergencies.
This definition is given to us by law, and a person acquires this status from the moment information about him is entered into the relevant registers we work with.
Our registry incorporates military and civilians, including children and citizens of other countries who were legally on the territory of Ukraine.
When we received this register from the Ministry of Reintegration, there were over 9,000 entries. There are many more now, and we have over 37,000 entries in the registry. As of June 2024, the number of entries in the registry has increased to over 45,000.
A mandatory requirement is to contact the national police. As for the military, this process is happening systematically. If such circumstances arise, military families are aware of how to proceed. As a rule, several days after notification, they contact the police, and the information is sent to us. Accordingly, a missing serviceman acquires this status. And when the family applies for an extract [from the registry], they will receive it very quickly.
As for civilians, the families are not as aware of the process, and perhaps the information algorithms are not yet fully effective. Sometimes, they contact the NIB [National Information Bureau] and the Red Cross, fill out a form, and then find out they must also contact the National Police. Or if there is information that their relative is being held hostage, and there is some kind of trial going on, they believe that there is no need to contact the police because the police already know where the person is.
However, a mandatory requirement for an account to appear in the register is to contact the national police with a statement indicating the person is missing. Suppose the totality of information and circumstances under which the person disappeared corresponds to the definition given above. In that case, such an individual receives the status of a missing person under special circumstances.
The status of a missing person under special circumstances means that the person may be in captivity, a civilian hostage, or a person deprived of his personal liberty. This person could have died, but so far, we cannot take appropriate identification measures, and accordingly, an investigation into this fact is only being carried out. Only after we can work with the body, with the remains, and by expert means, establish that this is the same person, will the corresponding status in our registry be terminated.
It is better to obtain information about the number of prisoners from the National Information Bureau or the coordination headquarters. I can clearly state the figure; we currently have 2,124 children on our registry who are considered missing under special circumstances.
How many people have already been removed from this register?
Now it is more than 2,000 people. In most cases, this occurs as a result of processing lists of persons who returned from captivity or were released from the territory of the Russian Federation and when it is confirmed that these persons are in Ukraine or other states. Then, the missing person status ends. There are also a certain number of people when, after identification measures, it is confirmed that this person died. We know that there are exchanges of prisoners, the release of hostages, and the repatriation of bodies of the dead that are exchanged between the parties.
A civil hostage or a person deprived of personal liberty cannot be exchanged. According to International Humanitarian Law, there can be no civilian hostages. And if there are, they should be released.
Citizens call it an exchange, but in essence, it is not an exchange but their liberation. Some processes of the return of civilians occur together with the processes of exchange of prisoners of war. Still, at the same time, a certain number of civilians can independently be freed and return to the territory of Ukraine.
We say that civilian hostages are a big problem. They should not exist at all according to International Law. However, we see that Russia is trying to create fake criminal prosecution facts. In many cases, we record the presence of a civilian through media publications of trials or information about who is convicted and who is held accountable for allegedly committing crimes. Let’s say this is also a large pool with which we work to accumulate information in the registry.
Firstly, there are working mechanisms through the Red Cross. They, fulfilling the requirements of the Geneva Convention, must ensure the exchange of information between the parties about persons in captivity, including being held hostage. This is what we call official confirmation.
Secondly, when conducting exchanges, we receive information about with whom our serviceman or civilian was in prison in the occupied territory or on the territory of the Russian Federation. After each exchange, we receive a lot of information: who is where, in what conditions, and their state of health.
In addition, analysis of telegram channels, YouTube, the Internet space of the Russian Federation, and the quasi-entities of the DPR and LPR [Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics] allows us to collect such material. Sometimes, it is necessary to use special programs; sometimes, relatives and friends contact the investigator about a portrait examination, and thus, it is confirmed that the person is being held hostage or in captivity.
In addition to us, this work is also carried out by the coordination headquarters and the joint center under the SBU. We all share this information among ourselves. This comes first. Further, suppose an official request has not yet been sent to the Red Cross. In that case, we form it, send it, and have clear information that the person is in captivity or hostage. After that, processes for further negotiations through the coordination headquarters, the formation of lists for exchange, etc., can commence.
There are several ways to contact us. The most powerful mechanism is our 1698 hotline. As soon as a person has any questions, as soon as it becomes known that one of their relatives has disappeared, as a rule, the first thing they do is contact the hotline.
This is a hotline that serves directly the secretariat of the Commissioner and works specifically on these issues. From the beginning to the end, they tell you the algorithm, where to go, and how to act on all these matters consistently. Next, we developed a questionnaire in which family and friends could provide the maximum amount of information.
In addition to providing status, the purpose of the registry is to accumulate maximum information on the missing person. This information needs to be collected as quickly and efficiently as possible. As time passes, something is forgotten, and some people leave or move, and gathering as much information as possible becomes more challenging. Therefore, filling out and submitting such a questionnaire is another way to fill out the register.
In addition, we constantly receive citizens and have representatives in fifteen regions. These are representatives of the Commissioner whom you can call, make an appointment with, and get help with all issues — starting with the algorithm of actions and ending with social services assistance (who and what is provided for in the event of receiving such a status.)
Are there many calls on the line?
On average, 70-80 per day. But this also depends on what events are happening on the front line.
I do not advise relatives to disseminate information about missing persons on untrusted social networks and telegram channels because this is personal data. Unfortunately, there are cases where scammers use this information. They understand that the missing people’s relatives and friends are in such a psychological state that they are ready to give their last money to at least have hope or receive information.
Government agencies and public organizations have been dealing with these issues for a long time and have concrete results from their work. We recommend going there.
Let us remind you that the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group also has a hotline regarding missing or detained civilians and prisoners of war.
However, posting personal data in unknown groups is very risky. When you first offer to send money, you should immediately contact the police or the Security Service of Ukraine. There are many such cases. In addition, this opportunity to communicate directly with family and friends is often used to recruit both military and civilians to receive information and act in favor of the aggressor. If this does not work out, it can be used to undermine the country’s social spirit.
We are often told that lists are sent to relatives via social networks, and they are told that your serviceman is included in this list and must be exchanged. Then an exchange takes place, and they say, you see, the Ukrainian side refused to make it, so go out to the Maidan and picket government institutions.
1698 — hotline of the Commissioner for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances.
Algorithm of actions to search for a missing person and obtain an extract from the Unified Register of Missing Persons under Special Circumstances.