Hope and Heartbreak: Ukraine's Painstaking Search for the Fallen

Volodymyr Umanets hopes his missing son Sergiy is among Ukrainian prisoners of war returned by Russia, yet fears he may instead receive his son's remains. Amid an unprecedented exchange of dead soldiers between the nations, families face a painful wait for identification as allegations of misconduct surface.

The uncertainty of war leaves families in torment, as Ukrainian Volodymyr Umanets hopes for the return of his son, Sergiy, who is caught in a historic swap between Russia and Ukraine.

The exchange, agreed upon in June 2022, aims to reunite 1,000 prisoners of war and repatriate the remains of thousands more. Joyful reunions are marred by the grim reality of repatriating dead soldiers.

Forensic experts face challenges in identifying remains, and allegations of mismanagement and war crimes add layers of complexity to the process. Ukrainian prosecutors aim to bring justice, as more families await closure.

(With inputs from agencies.)