A hopeful Ukrainian official announced that a New Year prisoner exchange with Russia could occur “any day,” despite the potential for last-minute complications. Petro Yatsenko, from Ukraine’s Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, indicated that negotiations for prisoner swaps have been increasingly challenging in recent months due to significant Russian military advances on the front lines.
In 2024, Ukraine managed only 10 prisoner exchanges, marking the lowest number since the escalation of the conflict. Although Ukraine does not publicly disclose the number of prisoners held by Russia, estimates suggest there are over 8,000 Ukrainian detainees in Russian custody. The recent battlefield successes of Russian forces have heightened concerns over the increasing number of Ukrainian captives.
One recent returnee, Ukrainian marine Andriy Turas, shared his harrowing account of captivity after being captured while defending Mariupol in 2022. In a poignant reunion with his wife Lena in Lviv, the couple recounted the grim reality of their experience as prisoners. Lena, a combat medic, described being indoctrinated by her captors, who denied Ukraine’s existence.
Having separated after enduring intense psychological and physical abuse, Lena was released after two weeks, while Andriy remained imprisoned for two and a half years. During Andriy’s imprisonment, Lena discovered she was pregnant, a revelation marred by the pain of being unable to share it with her husband.
Upon Andriy’s release in September, he experienced the bittersweet joy of meeting their two-year-old son Leon for the very first time. Their family reunion came amid the continuing plight of many Ukrainian families who anxiously await the return of their loved ones from captivity.
In central Kyiv, relatives of prisoners and activists gathered for a special Christmas demonstration, advocating for the release of Ukrainians still held in captivity. The event drew attention as participants stood in the cold, united in their calls for justice and compassion.
Among the demonstrators was Liliya Ivashchyk, a ballet dancer whose boyfriend Bohdan was captured by Russian forces in 2022. She remains hopeful and resilient, sending him daily messages filled with love and encouragement, despite having received no replies.
As Liliya prepares for a festive performance of the Blue Danube Waltz, she expressed the deep sorrow felt across the nation during this holiday season. With many families missing loved ones who are fighting or held as prisoners, the festive spirit is overshadowed by the ongoing conflict, underscoring the importance of solidarity and support for Ukraine’s armed forces during these challenging times.
