01 March 2026
(PHOTOS: Suspilne Mykolaiv)
In Pivdenoukrainsk, Mykolaiv region, the fate of missing and captured defenders was once again reminded. On March 1, the city held its 70th rally in support of Ukrainian soldiers. This time, about 40 community members joined the peaceful event.
This was reported by Suspilne Mykolaiv.
The action began at 09:00 with a symbolic road block. In this way, the participants tried to draw the attention of drivers and passers-by to the problem of the return of soldiers who have not been in touch with their families for a long time. Among those present were relatives of soldiers who disappeared at different stages of the war. In particular, the mother of Yuriy Budulak told about her son, a native of Donetsk, who has been serving under contract in the 36th Separate Marine Brigade since 2020.
At the time of the full-scale invasion , he was in Mariupol. The last contact with him was recorded on March 21, 2022, while performing a combat mission. He has been officially missing for almost four years. Also present at the event was the wife of Vitaliy Lukachov, a fighter with the 425th separate assault battalion 'Skelya'. Communication with the soldier was interrupted on February 6, 2025.
The family has five children and is currently trying to establish the exact whereabouts of the man, assuming that he may be in captivity with severe injuries. The event was joined by Maya Hromadyan, whose son Mykyta was released from captivity in April 2025. She emphasized the importance of systematically organizing such events to support families and draw public attention. According to her, during the 70 events held in the city, support from citizens has increased significantly, and they help the families of the disappeared with donations and social support.
Currently, according to official data, work is underway on the next stages of the exchanges, but hundreds of families from Pivdenoukrainsk and other cities in the region are still waiting for confirmation of the status of their loved ones.
Катерина Глушко