Nazar Daletskyi's Return from Captivity
In a stunning turn of events, a Ukrainian soldier previously declared dead and buried in 2022 has been returned alive from Russian captivity. Nazar Daletskyi, a serviceman of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, was repatriated during a prisoner exchange on February 5, 2026. His family, who had received a state compensation payment of 15 million hryvnias (approximately $375,000) for his death, is now legally obligated to return the full sum to the government. This case establishes a new and complex legal precedent in Ukraine, highlighting the unforeseen consequences of war.
Identification and Legal Consequences
Nazar Daletskyi, a 46-year-old resident of Velykyi Doroshiv village, had been listed as missing since May 2022. His burial proceeded after a DNA test reportedly confirmed his death. An investigation is now underway to determine whether the error originated in the laboratory conducting the analysis or in the body identification process itself. This situation casts serious doubt on the protocols for identifying fallen soldiers and underscores the critical need for accuracy in information provided to grieving families.
Taras Podvirnyi, a representative of the Ombudsman in the Lviv region: 'The legal reality is that the family must return the funds the state paid as a one-time financial assistance for the soldier's death.'
The exchange that brought Nazar Daletskyi home occurred after a lengthy pause in such operations. Commenting on the swap, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated: 'Today's exchange took place after a long pause, and it is very important that we managed to implement it. I thank everyone who works for the exchanges and everyone on the front line who replenishes the exchange fund for Ukraine. Without the determination of our warriors, such exchanges would be impossible, so every result of our units is what sustains the possibility of bringing Ukrainians home from Russia.'
This case has triggered a national investigation to resolve questions of accountability for the misidentification. It is likely to influence future military identification procedures and the mechanisms for providing compensation to families affected by the war. In the context of the ongoing conflict, maintaining accurate data on the status of servicemembers remains critically important for public trust in the systems designed to protect the rights of soldiers and their families.