STEP 1. File a Report with the Police

Visit any police department in Ukraine — regardless of where the abduction occurred.

Important: The report must concern the abduction of a civilian.

Include all relevant details in the report: the date, location, circumstances of the abduction, the person's status (e.g., whether they were an activist), and who might have been involved.

You can file the report:

• In person
• By email
• Via police hotlines

National Police of Ukraine 24/7 hotline:
📞 +380894201867 or 0-800-21-21-51
💬 Telegram chatbot: t.me/poshuk_znyklyh
📞 CALL Center (daily from 09:00 to 18:00): 0-800-50-02-02

STEP 2. Register a Personal Account on the Coordination Headquarters Website

(Coordination HQ on the Treatment of Prisoners of War)
🔗 https://cabinet.koordshtab.gov.ua/login

Provide all available information about your relative: full name, date and place of abduction, possible witnesses, photos, and documents.

Only a family member can create the account, as proof of kinship is required.

Update the account regularly — even if there is no new information.
This helps the Coordination HQ know the data is current.
Our Association recommends updating it once a month.

STEP 3. Notify the National Information Bureau (NIB)

🔗 Submit information via this form

The NIB accepts submissions not only from relatives, but also from friends, neighbors, or acquaintances.

The online form allows you to upload documents, photos, and detailed circumstances.

NIB data is automatically synchronized with the Coordination HQ’s account — an important step for centralized records.

STEP 4. Fill Out the Form on the SBU Joint Center Website

🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCpF9IMFayFWVH3gABn4fR6iIlPnX81rw93tFtV6PqrzeOtQ/viewform

This center accepts reports about persons who may have been abducted or captured.

STEP 5. Contact the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights

State that you are submitting the appeal on behalf of your relative.

Describe the abduction circumstances and request the Commissioner to:

• Take the case under supervision
• Contact the Russian side (e.g., the Russian Ombudsman) to verify detention conditions

Even without a guaranteed response, this sends a signal to Russia that the person is being searched for.

How to submit:
🔗 Online: https://ombudsman.gov.ua/online
📞 By phone: 0-800-50-17-20 or +38 (044) 299-74-08

STEP 6. Notify International Organizations

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) — to share information about the detained person
  🔗 https://uruprecase.powerappsportals.com./uk-UA/
• UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances — if the person’s whereabouts remain unknown for a long time
  🔗 How to contact the UN Working Group

STEP 7. Submit Data to the Register of Persons Missing Under Special Circumstances

Available through the Ministry of Internal Affairs' "Single Window for Citizens":
🔗 https://services.mvs.gov.ua/login

Fill out the form with all available data (a person is considered missing if their whereabouts cannot be confirmed).

STEP 8. Publicity as a Protection Tool

If the circumstances allow — make the case public:

• Reach out to journalists
• Post on social media
• Share the story through human rights organizations

According to our legal expert, Lyudmyla Shumkova, publicity more often helps than harms.
It draws attention from state authorities and the international community.

Exceptions are possible — each case depends on the context, the person’s profile, and associated risks.

This publication was prepared within the “Capable and Strong” program, implemented by the East Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland.

📷 Photo: Edmond Dantès

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