29-04-2025
Japan gives Ukraine devices to identify human remains, detect explosives
Japan has donated advanced scientific equipment to Ukraine to help identify human remains and collect evidence for war crimes.
Ukrainian officials need to identify many people killed after the Russian invasion. They also need to gather evidence in their investigation of suspected war crimes by Russians.
The Japanese government has provided Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs with seven sets of scientific equipment, including one capable of analyzing a number of DNA samples.
They also include a gas chromatograph which is used for conducting forensic examination of substances such as explosive and gunshot residues.
The provision was carried out through the United Nations Development Programme.
At a ceremony near the capital Kyiv on Monday, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Leonid Tymchenko said that in Ukraine, thousands of bodies are unidentified and a large number of people are missing. He stressed that Japan's support is very important and necessary.
The ministry plans to send the donated equipment to areas near the frontline to strengthen its investigative capability.
Japan's Ambassador to Ukraine Nakagome Masashi said that he wants Ukrainian officials to utilize Japan's sophisticated expertise and advanced skills in this field. The ambassador said he hopes the equipment will help collect information on missing people.
A Ukrainian official in charge of forensic investigation said no DNA research can be carried out without a genetic analyzer, either on an unidentified body or on the relatives of missing persons.
The official also said that such equipment will double the country's capabilities and allow it to conduct forensic molecular genetic examinations at least twice as fast and efficiently.
