Mass burial site in Izium: 22 bodies remain unidentified

That’s according to the Izium City Council, Ukrinform reports.

“Unfortunately, as of today, 22 bodies remain unidentified. Previous records indicated these individuals as 'unknown woman' or 'unknown man' due to the absence of information regarding relatives or acquaintances who could provide the necessary evidence to facilitate identification. Because of this, it is not yet possible to complete forensic examinations of these persons,” the statement says.

The city authorities called on the community to help find relatives or provide any information about the victims, stressing that burial will not be possible until the examinations are completed.

As reported, in 2022, the Russian army subjected Izium to air strikes and shelling from various types of weapons. From April 2 to September 10, 2022, the city was under occupation. The precise number of fatalities resulting from the Russian aggression remains unclear. It is estimated that at least 1,000 people died from enemy shelling and the absence of adequate medical care, or were subjected to torture or killed by occupiers.

Following the recapture of the city, local residents informed law enforcement officials about a mass burial site located on the outskirts of the city, in a forest area. Police reports indicate that 448 bodies were exhumed from this site.

In November 2024, Serhii Bolvinov, the head of the National Police Investigation Department in the Kharkiv region, said in an interview with Ukrinform that 52 bodies from the mass grave remain unidentified.