Post-mortem reproduction in Ukraine: how children are born from fallen defenders

Post-mortem reproduction in Ukraine

Post-mortem reproduction is gaining popularity in Ukraine, particularly in cases of children being born from deceased military personnel. The state program allows soldiers to freeze reproductive cells free of charge, aiding in the creation of families even after the loss of a husband at the front. A law in Ukraine permits the use of frozen sperm from deceased soldiers under certain conditions.

Cryobanks in Ukraine store tens of thousands of doses of frozen sperm from servicemen. The use of sperm after death is possible only under two conditions: the presence of a will or a court decision. In Dnipro, the parents of a deceased man have already initiated legal proceedings with the daughter-in-law regarding the use of embryos. Volodymyr Kotlyk, an expert in this field, notes that this right can be exercised by the wife or partner of the deceased who has informed consent or a will for the use of the sperm.

State program 'Storage of reproductive cells for military personnel'

The state program 'Storage of reproductive cells for military personnel' finances examinations, collection, cryopreservation, and storage of reproductive material. Free storage is available during martial law and for six months after its conclusion. In the event of death, reproductive cells are stored for three years from the date of death. The program has already yielded results: two pregnancies have been recorded from women who used samples after losing their husbands. Volodymyr Kotlyk also notes that with the first court decision, the parents took three embryos out of six.

Key storage conditions include:

• free storage for living military personnel;
• storage of reproductive cells for three years after death.

Meanwhile, servicemen must issue a directive in the form of a will or a specific statement in case of their own death. These innovations reflect the desire to ensure further life and continuation of the family line even in the most difficult circumstances.

The development of post-mortem reproduction in Ukraine reflects deep social and emotional needs arising from the conditions of war. The program not only offers the possibility of continuing family traditions but also creates a legal basis for protecting the rights of the families of fallen soldiers. The increase in cases of using frozen reproductive cells may indicate a change in attitude toward the topic of lost opportunities and the restoration of family identity amid the losses experienced by Ukrainians as a result of the conflict.