Zimbabwe Collects DNA From Families of Men Missing or Killed in Russia's War - Months After Families Hit Dead Ends

Families from across Zimbabwe gathered at the Bulawayo Registry Office on October 13, 2026, to give DNA samples so that relatives who went missing or were reportedly killed fighting for Russia can be identified, CITE reported. The exercise was organised by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and scheduled for October 13 and 14. Some relatives came from as far as Beitbridge, on the South African border, and Masvingo, in the south-east, while others travelled from rural districts such as Jotsholo and Lower Gwelo; others came from Bulawayo itself and surrounding areas. CITE reported that it remains unclear when identification will be completed and when repatriation can take place.

See also: Six Zimbabweans plead guilty in South Africa to planning to join Russia's military

Months of Approaches, Few Answers

The collection comes about six months after the Zimbabwean government pledged to assist citizens caught up in the war, CITE reported. In earlier reporting, the outlet documented families who spent months seeking answers about relatives reportedly killed fighting for Russia, some of whose bodies were believed to be lying in Moscow. Their efforts involved submitting documents and making repeated approaches to officials in both Zimbabwe and Russia, often without clear information on timelines or on which institution was responsible for coordinating the process.

Who Can Give a Sample

The ministry said the preferred sample comes from the deceased person's biological mother. If she is unavailable, a sibling with the same mother may give one; failing that, other close biological relatives may be considered, case by case, by the forensic team. Participants were asked to bring their original national identity documents, photocopies, and any identification documents belonging to the missing or dead relative.

"He Went in January and Died in February"

A 20-year-old man from Masvingo gave a sample on behalf of his family because his mother is in South Africa. His 22-year-old brother travelled to Russia in January and died the following month, he said. "I didn't even see him at Christmas when he came last year," he told CITE.

A mother from Jotsholo said she did not know her son had gone to Russia until after he left. He had been in South Africa, came back to sort out his documents, and left around March, she said. A woman from Lower Gwelo said her brother, a teacher, left for Russia in December and went missing on January 29, 2026.

A Disputed Claim About Money

A man whose nephew also went to Russia told CITE that the young man "sent 500 000 rands before he died" - and that the nephew's mother refused to attend because she did not believe the process was genuine. The Lower Gwelo woman, speaking of her own brother, said he had sent the family no money. CITE did not independently verify the uncle's claim.

Who Looks After the Children?

One mother whose son reportedly died in Russia asked CITE whether there would be compensation so that his children are at least taken care of. CITE reported that the government has yet to demonstrate publicly that it has a fully coordinated system able to give families clear timelines, consistent communication, and comprehensive support.

Recruited From South Africa

Many of those affected were recruited from South Africa, where they had been working in different sectors, CITE reported; relatives described a teacher, an Uber driver, and a worker in the tanning and milling sector. Relatives said their grief was compounded by not having known the men were going to Russia. CITE has the names of the attending families and their missing or dead relatives but withheld them out of respect for the ongoing process.

Last week the government renewed its warning against deceptive overseas job offers, and police said they are engaging regional and international partners, including through the Southern African Development Community and Interpol, on human trafficking. In September, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced plans for a Trafficking in Persons Amendment Bill targeting syndicates that advertise fraudulent jobs abroad. Families seeking clarification on the DNA exercise can contact the ministry's consular services department on +263 242 780748 or at consularservices@zimfa.gov.zw.

Looking for a Missing Relative

Families searching for a relative serving in Russia's army can submit a request through the "I Want to Find" project - find more details on how to act here.