In a compact space at a medical facility in Dnipro, Ukraine, Viktoria Lants was visibly distressed as she observed a forensic expert browsing through images of bodies stored in the morgue. Among the photos were images of severely damaged bodies, military attire, and a pocket knife. During a visit to identify a body, Lants noticed a wooden cross, reminiscent of the one her 31-year-old son, Vladyslav Kharkov, received from his grandmother before his deployment. Their last conversation was on Aug. 19, where Kharkov assured his mother that everything would be fine before going missing while serving as a soldier for Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in overwhelmed morgues and forensic teams tirelessly working to identify the increasing number of deceased individuals. Official information on casualties from the conflict has been scarce, with independent reports suggesting a much higher death toll than officially disclosed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed in December 2024 that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed, contrasting with claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
As part of negotiations, a significant number of soldiers’ remains were repatriated in June, with thousands returning to Ukraine and a smaller number to Russia. The process of identifying these bodies can take months, leaving families like Lants’ in a state of uncertainty and anxiety. The International Committee of the Red Cross is supporting forensic efforts in Ukraine to address the challenges posed by the conflict’s grim aftermath.
At a cemetery in Dnipro, unidentified soldiers are laid to rest under simple wooden crosses due to limited space in morgues. Valerii Viun, leading a forensic medical criminology department, emphasized the importance of dignified burials and the effort to identify every individual to avoid anonymous burials. Despite the emotional toll on families, forensic experts like Viun are committed to the arduous task of identifying the deceased, a mission they believe will extend for years even after the conflict ends.
