Ukraine launches unified platform for missing persons: Questions answered, steps explained

Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched a new digital tool designed to support families searching for loved ones missing under special circumstances. The Unified Information Platform for Missing Persons in Special Circumstances is a centralized portal that offers clear guidance, step-by-step procedures, and essential resources for navigating the search process.

Unveiled at Media Center Ukraine, the platform aims to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles by streamlining communication between families and relevant authorities. Mariana Reva, Director of the Ministry’s Communication Department, said the tool was created to prevent families from being sent from agency to agency while searching for answers.

“The Unified Information Platform is designed to help families immediately reach the appropriate authorities and follow the proper procedures to locate their missing loved ones,” Reva explained. “The website provides clear instructions on what to do if a family member stops responding or goes missing.”

A key feature of the platform is its integration of data from all institutions involved in the search effort, including international organizations, not just those within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. For instance, users can access direct links to check whether a missing person has been taken captive.

The site includes detailed instructions on how to:

– initiate a missing person search

– submit an official application

– provide DNA samples for identification

– request official records from the platform

– learn about legal rights and available social support

To access the platform, users can search for “Unified Information Platform” or go directly to znykli-bezvisti.mvs.gov.ua.

Artur Dobroserdov, Commissioner for Missing Persons in Special Circumstances, said the portal was built around the real challenges faced by families.

“Our main goal in creating the platform was to gather all the common issues families encounter and provide a step-by-step roadmap. The site includes all relevant applications and request forms needed during the search process,” Dobroserdov said. “We expect that this detailed system will reduce the burden on hotline services and offer immediate answers to the most frequently asked questions.”

According to Khrystyna Podyriako, Head of the Department for Investigating Crimes Committed During Armed Conflict at the National Police of Ukraine, specialized centers have been set up in each regional investigative unit to handle cases of missing persons. Through a dedicated “National Police” section on the platform, families can easily find contact information for their local center, track the status of investigations, learn who the assigned investigator is, and receive updates on DNA or other forensic test results.

English and Spanish versions of the platform are expected to launch soon.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news