DNA Error Led to Soldier's Funeral Years Before He Returned From Captivity.

The Story of Nazar Daletskyi: A Case of Mistaken Identity

According to TSN.ua: Nazar Daletskyi, a serviceman with Ukraine's 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, came home from Russian captivity in early 2026—despite having been buried in 2023 after a faulty DNA test. His return highlights the devastating consequences of misidentification during wartime.

Daletskyi was taken prisoner by Russian forces in 2022, and for a long time, his fate remained unknown. It wasn't until July 2025 that a recently released prisoner of war confirmed he had seen Daletskyi alive, providing the first solid evidence that he might still be alive and eligible for release.

Exhumation and the Harsh Reality for Families

In February 2026, authorities exhumed remains from a grave in the village of Velykyi Doroshiv, Lviv region—remains that had been wrongly attributed to Daletskyi. This event underscores the painful uncertainty that families of missing soldiers endure throughout the war.

The case of Nazar Daletskyi illustrates the many challenges faced by families of soldiers who have gone missing in action. Flawed identifications and delays in prisoner exchanges point to a pressing need for better communication between the warring sides. It also draws attention to the critical role of humanitarian efforts in resolving such cases and preventing future tragedies.