More than 1,500 missing persons have been found in the Nizhny Novgorod region over four months.

      May 26, 2026 12:42 Incidents NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Maria Orlova In the first four months of 2026, the internal affairs authorities of the Nizhny Novgorod region received 1,639 reports of the unexplained disappearance of citizens. The data was announced at a press conference at the NOIC by the deputy head of the 8th department of the regional Criminal Investigation Department, Police Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Belyaev, reports NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." According to him, 1,578 people were found within ten days after the report was filed—without initiating a search case. During this period, 61 people were placed on the federal wanted list. Of these, 32 have already been identified, and searches for 25 continue. As for minors, the police received 271 reports of missing children and adolescents. Thanks to prompt action, 259 of them were found. Twelve minors were placed on the federal wanted list—all have been located. Separate work was conducted on previously registered cases. During the reporting period, the fate and whereabouts of 716 missing citizens were established, of which 40 were found. As of today, the whereabouts of 676 people remain unknown. By age structure, about 16% of the missing are minors, the same percentage are citizens aged 18 to 35. The largest share is among people aged 36-59—about 51%. Another 17% are residents over 60 years old. Criminal cases among the disappearances are isolated. According to Belyaev, each such disappearance is under the control of the leadership. An investigation is conducted into connections, surroundings, and circumstances. "The question of initiating a case falls under the jurisdiction of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. We have a joint order with the IC. It specifies the concrete grounds under which it can be assumed that a crime may have been committed against a citizen," explained the police lieutenant colonel. According to him, criminal cases are initiated when there are signs of a possible crime—for example, in the case of sudden disappearance, disappearance with a large sum of money, or transactions made after the disappearance. Mikhail Belyaev emphasized that there is no need to wait three days to contact the police. "As soon as you realize that your loved one is missing, you must immediately contact the police," he noted. Reports must be accepted regardless of the time elapsed and the place of disappearance. You can contact the nearest police station in person, by phone, through service 112, or a volunteer organization. In response to a question about repeat cases, a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the same people mainly go missing every year. Most often, these are children from orphanages and social institutions. The reasons vary: unwillingness to live in the region, desire to move to Nizhny Novgorod, or asocial lifestyle. Many of them maintain contact with the heads of institutions during their "disappearance." In anticipation of the summer season, the police reminded about preventive measures. Parents are advised to teach children the rules of safe behavior and ensure that the child knows their information and does not leave with strangers. It is recommended to place information with a contact phone number on the clothing of children and elderly people with memory impairments. "Before going out, dress appropriately for the weather and do not let elderly people and minors out of your sight. Try to inform relatives of the area you are heading to and the direction you plan to take. Remember, in the forest, cell service is often poor, and it is not always possible to reach emergency services," noted Mikhail Belyaev. In search operations, the police actively cooperate with volunteers and other services. Contacts of volunteer organizations are posted on the website of the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was previously reported that in April, 111 people were being sought in the Nizhny Novgorod region. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+