The Ministry of Defense explains how military biomaterial is collected
29 July 2025 14:49
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has set up a process for collecting biological samples from military personnel, which makes it possible to form a single database of genomic information. This, in particular, helps to quickly identify defenders in case of their disappearance. This was reported by Ukrinform, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The procedure for selecting biomaterial is mandatory during martial law and is carried out in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On State Registration of Human Genomic Information” and the relevant order of the Ministry of Defense No. 438 of July 28, 2023. The sampling is carried out safely, non-invasively, through the buccal epithelium (the inner surface of the cheek).
According to Medical Service Major Dmytro Samofalov, the Center for Genomic Information has been established and is already functioning, with all the necessary resources and personnel. Samples have been collected in military units, training centers and TCCs, their storage and accounting have been ensured, and the data has been transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs within criminal proceedings.
To undergo the procedure, a serviceman submits an application for sampling, gives consent to the processing of personal data, confirms his identity, and takes a sample independently under the supervision of a responsible specialist. The data is recorded in a logbook.
During 2024-2025, the Ministry of Defense received biological collection equipment from international partners, which is enough to meet almost half of the needs. Thanks to the information campaign, the number of samples collected has increased more than eightfold since March.
In addition, the Ministry of Defense is preparing proposals to introduce identification systems based on fingerprint and dental data.
As areminder, according to the official data of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as of mid-July 2025, more than 12,800 Ukrainian servicemen are still missing. It is to speed up their search and identification that a large-scale system of collecting genetic samples is being implemented.
