Ukraine has automated the collection and storage of biological samples from its military personnel to speed up and simplify investigations into missing and deceased soldiers.
The initiative aims to store samples from 225,000 service members by the end of the year.
Samples taken from the buccal epithelium (oral mucosa) are collected at military units and sent to the Genomic Information Accounting Center, which inserts data into a system designed to automate accounting processes.
If a soldier goes missing or needs to be identified after death, authorized personnel can request the sample from the Central Biological and Biological Investigation Center.
Kyiv’s Programs for Soldiers
The war-torn country is rolling out a series of initiatives to support its armed forces, ranging from new voluntary recruitment schemes to battlefield incentives.
In February, the Ministry of Defense launched “Contract 18-24,” a voluntary military recruitment scheme for civilians aged 18 to 24.
Participants receive NATO-standard training, a competitive salary, and social benefits not available through civilian jobs.
Before this, only citizens aged 25 to 60 were eligible for conscription.
Last year, Kyiv introduced a new incentive program granting extra leave to soldiers who destroy Russian military assets.
Troops can earn five days off for taking down a warplane, four for air defense systems, and three for armored vehicles.
Moreover, Ukraine has also set up a hotline to assist Russians in searching for missing relatives.
The “I Want to Find” service is managed by the Coordination Centre for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and supports efforts to organize prisoner exchanges.
