Throughout February, specialists from the Ukrainian Red Cross Restoring Family Links (RFL) Service, as part of Regional Working Groups, provided structured support to families of missing persons and detainees, in close coordination with state authorities and partner organisations
In particular, the first field meeting of 2026 took place in Malyn, Zhytomyr region, bringing together families of missing persons and detainees. Organised on the initiative of the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Zhytomyr, the event united over 300 families seeking answers about the fate of their loved ones.
Specialists from the Ukrainian Red Cross Tracing and RFL Service participated in the meeting. As members of the Regional Working Group, they:
- Guided families on the activities of the Service and how to submit requests;
- Explained case management procedures and the mechanisms for engaging with state authorities;
- Provided individual consultations and assisted families in navigating available tracing mechanisms.
These meetings provide an important platform for direct dialogue between families, specialists, and government institutions, helping people access the information and support they need.
Overall, during February, Ukrainian Red Cross RFL specialists operated within Regional Working Groups in Volyn, Zakarpattia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi regions. Together with representatives of the National Police, the Office of the Commissioner for Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, and legal advisors from the Ombudsman’s Office, they provided comprehensive support to families searching for their loved ones, offering information, consultations, and necessary assistance.
