Red Cross probes fate of 50,000 missing in Ukraine-Russia war

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported a staggering increase in the number of missing persons in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with cases rising from 23,000 to nearly 50,000 in just one year. The majority of those missing are military personnel, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing war. The ICRC established a special bureau within its Central Tracing Agency to address this crisis, aiming to prevent disappearances and keep families informed. Additionally, the agency has been notified of approximately 16,000 detainees reported by both sides since the war began in February 2022. Enhanced reporting mechanisms have contributed to the rise in documented cases, despite the concerning nature of the situation. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also expressed a commitment to expediting peace discussions between Russian and Ukrainian leaders amid these developments.