48,000 DNA Tests Conducted for Missing Russian Soldiers

During a recent discussion in the Russian State Duma, Deputy Defense Minister Anna Tsivilyova revealed that 48,000 relatives of Russian soldiers have submitted DNA samples to assist in identifying missing personnel since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. This disclosure, which highlighted the ongoing human cost of the war, prompted concerns from lawmakers regarding the sensitivity of such data, with Andrey Kartapolov urging that these figures remain confidential. Tsivilyova clarified that the number represents the requests made to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and not an official count of missing soldiers. Independent sources suggest that more than 80,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war, illustrating the significant toll on families and the military. The Russian government has not provided official casualty figures since early 2022, leaving many families in uncertainty about their loved ones' fates. The complexity of the situation is compounded by varying regional rules regarding DNA testing for missing soldiers.