In light of the Russian Federation’s full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (hereinafter referred to as the Coordination Headquarters) began its work in March 2022 pursuant to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 257. The Coordination Headquarters carries out a range of measures aimed at locating, repatriating, and supporting military personnel and civilians who are being held captive by the aggressor country or are considered missing under special circumstances, and also facilitates communication with their families.
PERSONAL ACCOUNT: WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENTER COMPLETE INFORMATION
Complete information in the Personal Account speeds up the search for and identification of prisoners of war or those missing in action. The Coordination Headquarters urges families to enter as much information as possible into the Personal Account. Based on this data, analysts continue to collect, verify, and compile information about facilities where Ukrainian military personnel and civilians may be held.
Specific identifying features play a key role:
- call sign;
- place of residence;
- photo;
- tattoos;
- distinguishing features;
- circumstances of disappearance.
It is often these details that allow us to identify who has been seen in places of detention by defenders who have already been released. This helps specialists conduct verification and formulate requests for exchange.
A fully completed Personal Account is an additional tool that increases the chances of bringing loved ones home.
The Coordination Headquarters expresses its gratitude to families for their active participation in the initiative and emphasizes the importance of joint efforts to bring Ukrainian defenders and civilians home.
Official website: https://cabinet.koordshtab.gov.ua/login
ROADMAP FOR ACTION FOR FAMILIES AND THOSE RELEASED FROM CAPTIVITY
The Coordination Headquarters’ platform features a Roadmap of Actions for the families of prisoners of war, missing persons, civilians unlawfully deprived of their liberty, as well as for Defenders of Ukraine released from captivity.
On the resource, you can find:
- action algorithms;
- step-by-step recommendations;
- useful information;
- explanations regarding state support;
- contacts and mechanisms for interacting with authorized bodies.
The roadmap includes separate sections for:
- families of military personnel;
- families of civilians;
- those released from captivity.
To support the families of Ukraine’s defenders, as well as the families of civilians, the Coordination Headquarters operates:
- a public reception office;
- consultation centers.
There, you can receive recommendations on immediate actions to take in the event of:
- capture;
- unlawful deprivation of liberty;
- going missing;
- the death of loved ones as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
Defenders and civilians released from captivity can also receive the necessary support and assistance.
Roadmap: https://roadmap.koordshtab.gov.ua/
SCAMMERS ARE MANIPULATING THE FAMILIES OF PRISONERS OF WAR AND MISSING PERSONS
The Coordination Headquarters has recorded a sharp increase in fraudulent activity targeting the families of prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Unknown individuals are calling the relatives of defenders, identifying themselves as officials or employees of institutions within the Russian Federation, and offering to “facilitate” inclusion on exchange lists in exchange for money.
The Coordination Headquarters officially emphasizes that all processes related to the search, location, and release of prisoners of war are carried out exclusively by authorized state agencies. No “intermediaries” have or can have any influence on the negotiation process.
Any offers of “help for money” are fraudulent.
We urge families:
- not to trust unknown individuals;
- not to transfer funds;
- not to disclose personal information;
- in case of suspicious calls, to immediately contact the Coordination Headquarters and law enforcement agencies.
For more details: https://koordshtab.gov.ua/fraud-prevention
PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE ON FAMILIES: HOW SCAMMERS OPERATE
The Coordination Headquarters is documenting cases of psychological pressure on the families of prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Criminals exploit people’s fear, guilt, and hope by promising assistance or providing false information about their loved ones.
In some cases, their goals include:
- extorting money;
- obtaining personal data;
- involving citizens in illegal activities;
- destabilizing the emotional state of families.
Resources on combating fraud: https://koordshtab.gov.ua/fraud-prevention
OFFICIAL RESOURCES OF THE COORDINATION HEADQUARTERS
Website: https://koordshtab.gov.ua/
Telegram: https://t.me/Koord_shtab
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@koordshtab_press
Roadmap: https://roadmap.koordshtab.gov.ual
Resources on combating fraud: https://koordshtab.gov.ua/fraud-prevention