Ombudsman Lubinets Clarifies: No Order Issued for Soldier's Family to Return 15 Million Hryvnias

The Controversy Over Funds Paid to a Soldier's Family

According to Главком: Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, has stated that no official decision has been made to compel the family of soldier Nazar Daletskyi to return 15 million hryvnias. This issue gained prominence due to the first known case in Ukraine involving a mistaken DNA identification. Daletskyi, a serviceman of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo, was officially listed as deceased at the time the compensation was paid. This case highlights the immense pressure on Ukraine's identification systems during the ongoing war.

Daletskyi's family received the 15 million hryvnias from the state, even though the soldier had been buried in the Lviv region in 2022 following a DNA test. He had gone missing during combat in eastern Ukraine in May 2022 and was only returned from captivity on February 5, 2026. In light of this situation, Dmytro Lubinets has sent inquiries to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health to gather further information.

Debate on Identifying Fallen Soldiers

The Ombudsman's representative in the Lviv region, Taras Podvirnyi, also highlighted the case, emphasizing its uniqueness for Ukraine. The payment of 15 million hryvnias resulted from a misidentification, sparking broader discussions about the procedures for identifying fallen soldiers in wartime conditions.

This situation underscores the profound difficulties and challenges faced by military families during war, particularly concerning the identification of the deceased. Erroneous DNA test conclusions can lead to serious legal and ethical consequences, necessitating a review of existing protocols in this field. It is crucial for authorities to consider this case to improve the system of identification and support for military families who find themselves in similar tragic circumstances.