The Russians Turning to Google Maps in Search of Missing Soldiers
The New Yorker
by Sophie SpiegelbergerFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article highlights a poignant yet unexpected use of Google Maps reviews by Russian families searching for missing soldiers from the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Over 1 million soldiers have been killed or wounded since Russia’s invasion began four years ago, and many families are left in the dark about their loved ones’ fates. As official channels often fail to provide updates, relatives have turned to online platforms as a last resort. Google Maps reviews of Rostov-on-Don’s Military Hospital 1602, a key facility for processing casualties, have become an unlikely place of hope. Families post desperate messages, including details about their missing loved ones in the hopes of finding answers.
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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/24/2026