The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has launched an internal investigation into a high-profile case involving a DNA examination error and the burial of a soldier from the Lviv region who was later found alive and released from Russian captivity.
Due to the public outcry, Deputy Interior Minister Leonid Tymchenko personally traveled to Kharkiv, where the forensic analysis had been conducted. He stated that such incidents are unacceptable and that mistakes of this nature must not occur under any circumstances.
“We fully understand how sensitive and serious this case is. We will thoroughly review all circumstances, including every DNA test conducted, the samples taken from the soldier’s mother, and the remains that were transferred for identification and burial,” Tymchenko said.
A story that moved the nation
The case concerns Ukrainian serviceman Nazar Daletskyi, a native of Velykyi Doroshiv village in the Lviv region. He served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo.
Key facts of the case include:
- in May 2022, Nazar lost contact during combat operations;
- later, his family was officially informed that he had been killed in the Kupiansk district on September 25, 2022 — his birthday;
- for more than two years, he was considered dead and remains identified through DNA analysis were buried under his name;
- in 2025, Ukrainian soldiers released from captivity reported that Nazar was alive;
- this information was confirmed by several former prisoners over subsequent months;
- following a prisoner exchange, Nazar finally returned home alive.
Family demands and next steps
After his return, Nazar’s relatives are demanding exhumation so that the unidentified fallen soldier buried in his place can be properly identified and returned to his own family.
The Interior Ministry has stated that the investigation will examine the work of forensic institutions, documentation processes, and identification procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This story has become a powerful reminder of faith, perseverance, and hope — proving that even after years of uncertainty and official conclusions, the truth can prevail.