Russians Seek Answers over Hundreds Missing After Ukraine’s 2024 Incursion
BBC News Russian reports on the ongoing struggle of Russian families searching for their loved ones missing after Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024.
A Testimonial from Lyubov
"I used to have complete faith in our country," says Lyubov, "The last time I spoke to my mother was a day after Ukrainian forces broke into Russia’s Kursk region more than two years ago." Now, she feels "resentful towards the [Russian] state," where criticism of the 2022 invasion is largely avoided.
Missing Persons in Kursk Region
The local governor claims more than 300 Russians are still missing in the region, though the true figure remains uncertain. Lyubov tried urging her mother to leave their village but blames Russian state TV propaganda for her refusal.
The Incursion and Its Aftermath
Ukrainian forces overran more than 777 sq km (300 sq miles) of Russian territory in six days, as part of a strategic maneuver to divert Russian forces from the front line. Communication was cut off for eight months, leading to limited information about the missing.
A Plea for Help
Nearly 200 Russians sent an open letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the United Nations, demanding a humanitarian corridor for evacuation. However, their request went unheeded, and battles raged as Russian forces attempted to retake the territory.
Forming Support Groups
Lyubov and others formed groups to help locate their missing loved ones. One resident compiled a list of individuals seen in Ukrainian military videos, eventually growing to around 1,000 names. Attempts to reach out to the Red Cross and Kursk interior ministry for aid were unsuccessful.
Official Response and Criticisms
In early 2025, Russia’s human rights commissioner published a list of 517 Kursk residents reported missing, which families criticized as insensitive and unhelpful, mixing up the names of the missing with those searching for them.
