Since August 2024 the Russian Red Cross (RRC) has successfully determined fate and restored link with 2088 individuals who lost touch with relatives during the emergency situation in the Kursk region.
After March 12, 2025, many of those who were evacuated from the border areas of the Kursk region had previously been listed as missing. The situation poses particular challenges for elderly individuals who have lost their phones or do no remember their relatives’ phone numbers. Specialists from the RRC’s Restoring Family Links Service cross-check from the database of search request submitted by families and assist individuals in contacting their loved ones. For example, one applicant discovered that her parents, who had been out of contact, had remained in their home throughout that time. They had not intended to leave, but during the evacuation in March, they were persuaded to relocate to a temporary accommodation center. They are now in Kursk, and communication between family members has been restored.
“Each connection involves lengthy searches, the anxiety of loved ones, and meticulous work of our restoring family links service specialists. We understand how crucial it is, in difficult times, to hear the voice of a loved one and know they are safe. There are already thousands of stories, and behind each one is not just a name on a list, but emotions, anxiety, and hope. For instance, a woman was searching for her uncle, a Group I invalid. He was evacuated in mid-March, but then the trail went cold, and he did not appear on any list. Our specialists searched extensively, and eventually found him in a medical facility. We passed the information to the family, and now the relatives can stay in touch again. In another case, a young man was looking for his cousin. During the evacuation, the cousin was hospitalized, but his exact whereabouts were unknown. We discovered that he is in one of the Kursk hospitals, provided the contact details to the family, and now the relatives can communicate again and await his discharge”, said Pavel Chuck, President of the Red Cross.
Since August 2024, tRRC has received over 7000 inquiries. It should be noted that this figure does not directly correspond to the number of search requests. Individuals also seek consultations, and in some cases multiple relatives are searching for the same person, or family members are searching for each other. Specialists from the RRC’s Restoring Family Links Service also analyze information from open sources, including media, social networks, and Telegram channels. A vital component of this work remains supporting those searching for their loved ones: specialists have made over 13,000 calls to provide psychological assistance and help relatives cope with the anxiety of searching for missing people.
To enhance the effectiveness of its efforts, RRC has collaborated from the outset with government authorities, including the Government of the Kursk Region, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation of the Kursk Region, and the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters. Additionally, cooperation is ongoing with the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to whom data on missing people is also provided.
To submit a search request or obtain information about the whereabouts of evacuated relatives, individuals can contact the toll-free hotline at 8 (800) 250-56-29 or refer to the specialists of the RRC’s Restoring Family Links Service in Kursk.
The Russian Red Cross also warns of instances of fraud and urges the public not to publish personal information or details about missing people on social networks or in open access. The organization emphasizes that all assistance, including restoring family links, is provided free of charge. RRC operators contact individuals exclusively from official phone numbers.
