Overview

• More than 20 American volunteers are reported missing in Ukraine, with a growing number of casualties over the past six months.
• The bodies of at least five Americans killed in action remain unrecovered, often due to the intensity of fighting and Russian-controlled areas.
• Families face legal and emotional challenges, including harassment by online trolls, as they navigate the complexities of declaring their loved ones deceased and repatriating remains.
• Surviving fighters describe harrowing missions, inadequate support, and the high risks faced by foreign volunteers filling critical roles in Ukraine’s military efforts.
• Organizations and officials work to identify and return remains, but the process is complicated by fragmented remains and the need for DNA testing or court rulings.