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Peaceful demonstrations will take place in 29 cities across Ukraine to draw attention to the plight of Azovstal defenders and other service members who remain in enemy captivity.

On September 13, rallies will be held in Lviv, Arbuzynka, Pivdenoukrainske, Okhtyrka, Vinnytsia, Chernihiv, Sumy, Dnipro, Bila Tserkva, Pavlohrad, Shpola, Volochysk, and Poltava.

On September 14, events are scheduled in Kyiv, Krolevets, Kremenchuk, Mykolaiv, Obukhiv, Irpin, Ovruch, Cherkasy, Uzhhorod, Dolynska, Berdychiv, Lozova, Kropyvnytskyi, Shostka, Odesa, and Chernivtsi.

The rallies are organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Ukrainians who have been released from captivity frequently take part, standing in solidarity with those still held.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On September 13, Kyiv will host a peaceful motorcycle and car rally organized by the “United Biker Front” war veterans’ motorcycle club. The rally will be accompanied by a photo exhibition titled “Our People Are Not Home Yet” to show support for missing and captured soldiers of the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade.

Background: The event is organized by the community of families of missing and captured soldiers from the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is part of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

Oleksandr Demenko, a native of Zaporizhzhia, first served his mandatory term in the military before signing a contract with the 15th Operational Brigade of the National Guard, named after Hero of Ukraine Lieutenant Bohdan Zavada. In the months leading up to russia’s full-scale invasion, he was assigned to guard facilities near Mariupol, and on February 24, 2022, his unit was redeployed to defend the city.

By the end of March 2022, he had sustained a shrapnel wound, and on May 12 of that year, he spoke with his mother for the last time before being taken prisoner. Demenko remained in captivity for more than 20 months. He finally returned home on January 31, 2024.

More recently, Demenko was elected head of the Ukrainian LGBT Military for Equal Rights NGO. On August 23, 2025, his partner Artur proposed, and the two became engaged. The couple plans to wait until lawmakers adopt a bill on registered partnerships before marrying.

Demenko is available for meetings both online and in person in Kyiv by appointment.

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• LGBT

Peaceful events are planned in 31 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On September 6, actions will be held in Svitlovodsk, Arbuzynka, Okhtyrka, Vinnytsia, Chernihiv, Pavlohrad, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Shpola, Volochysk, and Lviv.

On September 7, events are planned in Kyiv, Krolevets, Korop, Pivdennoukrainsk, Uman, Mykolaiv, Obukhiv, Korosten, Cherkasy, Uzhhorod, Dolynska, Berdychiv, Kharkiv, Lozova, Kropyvnytskyi, Kovel, Shostka, Ternopil, Odesa, and Chernivtsi.

The events are organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Recently released Ukrainian captives also often join these actions.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Maksym Kolesnykov defended Ukraine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) when russia first attacked the East and occupied Crimea. On February 24, 2022, he joined the Ukrainian military once again. Alongside his fellow soldiers, he guarded a facility in Hostomel, Kyiv Oblast. In March 2022, Russians captured Maksym and held him captive for 10 months. He says that during his imprisonment, he endured starvation and torture.

Maksym returned to his homeland on February 4, 2023. A photo was taken during the prisoner exchange of Maksym gazing at an apple — a poignant moment, as he had not seen fresh fruit or vegetables during his captivity. This image quickly spread across the media and social networks.

After rehabilitation, he decided to return to service. Now, in collaboration with the charity foundation Vesta, Maksym gives lectures to social workers who assist veterans on how to communicate with former prisoners of war. The primary goal is to improve interactions with former captives and prevent retraumatization.

Interviews with Maksym Kolesnykov can be arranged online or in person in Kyiv with prior agreement.

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• Kyiv

Peaceful events are planned in 28 cities across Ukraine to raise awareness of the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers still in enemy captivity.

On August 23, events will be held in Arbuzynka, Okhtyrka, Pavlysh, Chernihiv, Irpin, Vinnytsia, and Shpola.

On August 24, events are planned in Kyiv, Krolevets, Korop, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Uman, Ovruch, Obukhiv, Korosten, Slavuta, Cherkasy, Lozova, Kropyvnytskyi, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Rivne, Odesa, Shostka, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Poltava.

The events are organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Recently released Ukrainian captives also often join these actions.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On August 16, Trukhaniv Island in Kyiv will host a race in solidarity with Ukrainian prisoners still held in russian captivity. Among the participants will be former prisoner of war Dmytro Kanupier, known by the call sign “Rasti.”

Organizers say the event aims both to keep public attention on those still awaiting release and to bring together a community of supporters.

Kanupier serves in the 12th Brigade of the Azov National Guard. In April 2022, he and his fellow soldiers defended the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Ordered to surrender in late May 2022, he was taken prisoner by russian forces. He returned to Ukraine on October 18, 2024, as part of a prisoner exchange.

• prisoners
• Kyiv

On August 9 and 10, peaceful rallies will take place across 29 cities in Ukraine to draw attention to the fate of Ukrainian prisoners of war and those still missing in action. The campaign seeks to honor the defenders of Azovstal and other soldiers held in russian captivity, and to mark three years since the deadly attack on the Olenivka detention center.

The rallies are being organized by families of POWs from the Mariupol garrison, with participation from former prisoners who have since returned home.

Demonstrations on August 9 will be held in: Arbuzynka, Okhtyrka, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Irpin, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Lviv, and Poltava.

On August 10, events are planned in: Kyiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Krolevets, Kremenchuk, Uman, Lozova, Mykolaiv, Korop, Ovruch, Obukhiv, Korosten, Slavuta, Cherkasy, Dolynska, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Uzhhorod, Shpola, Shostka, and Rivne.

Organizers are urging the public to join the call for justice and accountability, and to ensure that the plight of those held in captivity is not forgotten.

• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

A peaceful march titled “Ours Are Not Home Yet” is scheduled to take place in Kyiv on August 2 in solidarity with Ukrainian soldiers who are missing or held in captivity.

The event is intended to raise public and international awareness about the fate of service members who have yet to return home. Organizers say the march will call attention to the urgent need for action and accountability regarding those still unaccounted for.

The march is organized by the community of relatives of the 32nd Separate Motorized Brigade.

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• prisoners
• Kyiv

A series of peaceful rallies will be held across Ukraine from July 26 to 29 to honor the defenders of Azovstal and other servicemembers still held in enemy captivity, and to mark the third anniversary of the deadly attack on the Olenivka prison camp. Events are planned in 38 cities nationwide.

On July 26, demonstrations will take place in Arbuzynka, Okhtyrka, Pavlohrad, Chernihiv, Irpin, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, and Zaporizhia.

On July 27, the campaign continues in Kyiv, Pivdenoukrainsk, Krolevets, Lozova, Uman, Mykolaiv, Korop, Ovruch, Obukhiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Korosten, Cherkasy, Rivne, Dolynska, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Kovel, Shostka, Chernivtsi, Uzhhorod, Slavuta, and Kremenchuk.

On July 28, events are set for Pavlohrad, Bila Tserkva, Poltava, Truskavets, and Lviv.

On July 29, the campaign will conclude with a gathering in Odesa.

The events are being organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Ukrainians who have been released from captivity frequently join the rallies to show solidarity and raise awareness.

• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Kyiv