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According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the war in Ukraine has already resulted in more than 48 thousand missing persons. The alarming number includes civilians and combatants, and represents one of the greatest missing persons crises in conflict areas in recent times. The difficulties in locating victims and the absence of answers aggravate the suffering of families
Since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has already caused thousands of deaths, injuries, and displacements. But another concern is alarming: more than 48,700 people are missing. The information comes from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which receives calls for help from relatives seeking news.
“This total refers to people who seek us for information about loved ones. It can be a parent looking for a child, a sister searching for a brother, or a wife with no news of her husband. These are civilians and soldiers whose whereabouts remain unknown,” explained Patrick Griffiths, spokesperson for the ICRC in Ukraine.
Cases Solved Are Still a Minority
The total includes both civilians and military personnel, both Ukrainian and Russian. In December 2024, the number was 43 thousand missing. Since then, there has been an increase. Even so, the ICRC has managed to clarify the situation of 12,500 people.
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Some families received confirmation of death or imprisonment. “It is not always the news that relatives hope for, but nevertheless, it is a conclusion for those suffering the anguish of uncertainty,” Griffiths said. According to him, in wars, the process of finding all missing persons can take years.
War in Ukraine: Continuous Conflict and Daily Reports of Violence
The ICRC reports that the war continues to be intense. Griffiths, who has been in Kiev since last June, described being awakened by explosions last Saturday. “I am in Kiev and, last Saturday, around five in the morning, a series of explosions woke us up. Since I arrived last June, I do not remember hearing so many,” he reported.
He also highlighted the suffering of civilians. “We receive constant reports of attacks that kill civilians. We see destroyed houses, children among the dead and wounded. Civilians should not pay the price for this conflict,” he stated.
Humanitarian Action and Challenges with Prisoners
Even with discussions about a possible peace, the ICRC remains focused on immediate assistance. “Our work is to meet urgent needs: injured people, displaced individuals, those who have lost family members or their livelihoods. Their lives have been shattered forever,” explained Griffiths.
The organization also monitors the situation of prisoners of war. Thousands of visits have been made, but challenges remain. “We have managed to visit thousands of prisoners, but access is uneven. We have far more authorized visits to Russian prisoners detained in Ukraine than to Ukrainians held in Russia. We continue to urge both governments to improve this access,” he concluded.
With information from Novo Jornal.
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