Themes by tag: prisoners

On May 31 in Bucha, Kyiv region, the event “Match of Expectation: Every Voice Saves” will take place. As part of the event, the Ukrainian national veterans’ team will play an advocacy football match against the Kyiv regional team to draw attention to the families of missing and captured Ukrainian defenders.

The Ukrainian national veterans’ team will include well-known Ukrainian football players and former professional players: Andriy Biba, Yevhen Seleznyov, Yevhen Khacheridi, Serhiy Nazarenko, Oleksiy Bielik, Mykola Morozyuk, Yuriy Maksymov, Eduard Tsykhmeistruk, Oleh Sobutskyi, Volodymyr Lysenko, Mykola Ishchenko, Viacheslav Sviderskyi, Volodymyr Bondarenko, and Serhii Pohorilyi.

The Kyiv regional team will consist of war veterans, service members, volunteers, representatives of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, the Kyiv Regional Council, local communities, the National Police in Kyiv region, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

A symbolic installation will be created in the stadium stands: military uniforms will be placed on 500 seats as a symbol of presence. Each seat will represent a defender whose fate remains unknown and a family that continues to wait. Nearby, photographs of missing soldiers, their words, and links to personal stories will be displayed.

Before the match, participants will form a circle of solidarity around the pitch with lit torches. The first kick of the ball will be taken by a child of a missing defender together with a man from Bucha who was released from captivity.

Within the “Match of Expectation: Every Voice Saves” initiative, families and relatives of missing defenders will be able to receive free legal and psychological support from partner organizations and, if they wish and consent, fill out a needs assessment form for further assistance and follow-up.

Journalists must register in advance to attend the event.

Background: The advocacy event is organized by the NGO “Voices of Silence.” It is an association of families of missing and captured Ukrainian defenders, founded in Bucha by Nataliia Ilyina, the wife of a missing defender.

• military
• prisoners
• psychological support
• Kyiv

At the start of the full-scale invasion, Dmytro Kanupier was serving in the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov” in Mariupol. In April 2022, he sustained two shrapnel wounds. Together with his comrades, the serviceman defended “Azovstal.” Ultimately, at the end of May 2022, the fighters were ordered to go into russian captivity.

Until September 26, 2022, Dmytro was held in a penal colony in Olenivka in the occupied part of Donetsk region, and later he was transferred to Taganrog in russia. There, according to the serviceman, prisoners were beaten and subjected to severe torture in order to obtain so-called confessions under duress to fabricated crimes. He was later sentenced to 29 years in a maximum-security penal colony for a war crime he did not commit.

Dmytro returned to Ukraine on October 18, 2024, during a prisoner exchange. After rehabilitation, he decided to return to military service, and recently published his book titled “Okraiets,” in which he describes in detail what he endured in captivity. The book serves as testimony to the crimes committed by russians against him over 886 days. The fighter says writing was extremely difficult, as he had to relive painful memories.

It is possible to meet Dmytro Kanupier online or in person by prior arrangement and coordination with his press service.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes

To remind the public about the defenders of Azovstal and other Ukrainian troops still held in russian captivity, peaceful rallies are planned in 27 cities.

On May 16, rallies will take place in Svitlovodsk, Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Shpola, Volochysk, Bila Tserkva, Poltava, Dnipro, Pavlohrad, Lviv and Ostroh.

On May 17, events are scheduled in Kyiv, Krolevets, Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv, Korop, Obukhiv, Ovruch, Kremenchuk, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Lozova, Uzhhorod, Rivne, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Chernivtsi, Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk.

The events are organized by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Ukrainians released from captivity also frequently join the rallies.

• prisoners

Peaceful rallies aimed at drawing attention to the defenders of Azovstal and other Ukrainian servicemen still held in russian captivity are scheduled to take place in 27 cities across Ukraine.

On May 9, rallies will be held in Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Pavlysh, Zaporizhzhia, Shpola, Volochysk, Bila Tserkva, Dnipro, Pavlohrad and Lviv.

On May 10, events are planned in Kyiv, Krolevets, Pivdennoukrainsk, Kremenchuk, Uman, Mykolaiv, Korosten, Obukhiv, Ovruch, Rivne, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Lozova, Kovel, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Chernivtsi, Poltava and Odesa.

The events are organized by the families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Ukrainians who have themselves returned from captivity also frequently take part in the rallies.

• prisoners

Vadym Letunov, 34, is a corporal serving with Ukraine’s 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade. In late February, heavy enemy shelling destroyed his position and killed one of his comrades. Barefoot, Letunov managed to reach the nearest surviving dugout — only to discover it was occupied by a russian soldier, a former prisoner mobilized to fight against Ukraine.

Because the occupier was armed, Letunov effectively became his captive. Realizing that survival depended on gaining the soldier’s trust, he spent two weeks carefully navigating the situation. According to Letunov, the russian soldier showed severe mood swings and repeatedly threatened to execute him.

Conditions inside the dugout were extreme. Food and water were nearly gone, and Ukrainian command had already informed Letunov’s mother that he was presumed dead.

Over time, Letunov convinced the russian soldier that their only chance of survival was to surrender to Ukrainian forces. When supplies finally ran out, the two moved toward Ukrainian positions.

To avoid being mistaken for the enemy by Ukrainian drones, Letunov made a sign displaying his call sign and brigade number. When a Ukrainian drone appeared overhead, he dropped to his knees beside the sign to identify himself.

Ukrainian troops first delivered food, water, and a radio by drone. Shortly afterward, an armored vehicle arrived, evacuating Letunov and taking the russian soldier into captivity. Letunov is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Odesa after losing a toe due to gangrene caused by the conditions in the dugout.

Vadym Letunov is available for interviews online or in person in Odesa by prior arrangement and with approval from his press officer.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Odesa

Peaceful events are planned in 27 cities to remind the public about the defenders of Azovstal and other Ukrainian service members who remain in enemy captivity.

On May 2, rallies will take place in Okhtyrka, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Shpola, Volochysk, Ostroh, Dnipro, Pavlohrad, and Lviv.
On May 3, events are scheduled in Kyiv, Krolevets, Pivdennoukrainsk, Kremenchuk, Mykolaiv, Korop, Obukhiv, Ovruch, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Lozova, Kharkiv, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Odesa.

The events are organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Ukrainians who have been released from captivity also often join the rallies.

• prisoners

On May 2, a rally in support of prisoners of war and those missing will take place in Bucha, Kyiv region, under the title “Voices of Silence.”

Such peaceful gatherings have been held in the city since early 2026. Everyone who cares is encouraged to join to support Ukrainian defenders and their families, who are waiting every day for their loved ones to return.

Background: The rallies are organized by the NGO Voices of Silence, founded by the wives, mothers, sisters, and children of those who went missing while defending Ukraine.

• military
• prisoners
• Kyiv

A rehabilitation sailing trip will begin in Greece on May 9, bringing together 25 Ukrainian service members with amputations as well as former prisoners of war. Participants will cover around 200 nautical miles.

“Titans Under Sail” is a charitable project that offers Ukrainian defenders physical and psychological rehabilitation through sailing.

During the seven-day journey, participants learn to operate a catamaran, face the challenges of the open sea and work as a team. The experience helps restore mobility and supports psychological recovery and reintegration.

Media can cover the sailing rehabilitation program online or in person in Athens, Greece. Interviews with participants and organizers are available upon request, and photo and video materials can also be provided.

Background: In 2025, similar rehabilitation sailing trips took place in the Canary Islands, Greece and Croatia. The project is run by the NGO Titans Under Sail.

• casualties
• culture
• military
• prisoners

Vladyslav and Stanislav Chuhuienko are twin brothers from Zaporizhzhia. From an early age, Stanislav dreamed of becoming a soldier, and his brother supported his decision. Together, they entered the Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy in Lviv and later joined the Ukrainian Marine Corps.

The Chuhuienko brothers fought in the Donetsk sector and were in Mariupol at the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion. During one of the missions, Vladyslav sustained shrapnel wounds to his legs. He was evacuated to a hospital and later transferred to the Illich Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, where the brigade command was stationed.

On April 4, 2022, Vladyslav and Stanislav were taken prisoner. At first, they were held together, but were later separated. In captivity, Vladyslav was subjected to torture, beatings, and electric shocks. He was returned to Ukraine during a prisoner exchange on August 14, 2025. While in captivity, he believed his brother had already returned home. Only after his release did he learn that Stanislav remains in russian captivity. Vladyslav now takes part in rallies supporting prisoners of war and missing persons and is waiting for the return of his closest person.

Vladyslav Chuhuienko can be contacted both online and in person in Lviv by prior arrangement.

• casualties
• military
• prisoners
• russian crimes
• Lviv

To draw attention to the defenders of Azovstal and other Ukrainian servicemen still held in captivity, peaceful rallies will take place in 27 cities across the country.

On April 18, events will be held in Svitlovodsk, Zaporizhzhia, Okhtyrka, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Ovruch, Poltava, Shpola, Volochysk, Dnipro, Pavlohrad, and Lviv.

On April 19, rallies are scheduled in Kyiv, Krolevets, Korop, Obukhiv, Kharkiv, Dolynska, Cherkasy, Lozova, Uzhhorod, Berdychiv, Kropyvnytskyi, Rivne, Chernivtsi, and Odesa.

The events are organized by families of prisoners of war from the Mariupol garrison. Former Ukrainian captives who have been released from detention also often join the rallies.

• prisoners