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Ukraine and the United States are strengthening cooperation in the field of DNA examinations and identification of dead bodies to bring Russia to justice for war crimes. During a working meeting, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (MIA) and the US Embassy discussed the details of the project. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Interior Minister Leonid Timchenko, focused on improving identification methods and expanding the capacity to analyse DNA profiles. Tymchenko noted that currently more than 53,000 Ukrainian citizens are listed in the Unified Register of Missing Persons, and more than 2,300 bodies remain unidentified. “Identification of the deceased is our priority, and we are working with international partners to implement this task,” he said.
In the context of war, Ukraine needs modern equipment and expanded infrastructure for DNA examinations, especially for storing biological samples. Diane Cohn, Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement Affairs at the US Embassy, stressed that it is important for the US side to support Ukrainian experts in this work. “Our partnership helps to establish the truth and ensure that Russia is held accountable for its atrocities,” she added.
Interior Ministry experts reported that since the start of the full-scale invasion, the database of DNA profiles in the Central Register of Ukraine has grown from 25,000 to almost 70,000. Currently, there are 24 laboratories in the country that conduct DNA examinations, and there are plans to open five more full-fledged centres in the near future.
Ukrainian law enforcement officers are also collecting evidence of war crimes committed by the Russian military, which left traces in torture chambers on the liberated territories of Ukraine. US Embassy spokesman Odie Holloway praised the achievements of the Ukrainian side: “It is unprecedented that Ukraine is carrying out such work during active hostilities. It inspires us to increase our support to stand together against all the horrors taking place on your land.”
Ukraine and the United States plan to further strengthen cooperation to protect human rights and prosecute war crimes, laying the foundation for fair investigations in the post-war era.
