Mykolaiv Rally Highlights Struggle of Families with Missing Defenders

Mykolaiv hosted an event dedicated to missing and captured Ukrainian defenders. The event brought together about 150 people - relatives, friends and concerned citizens who came to remind the public about those who are still unknown.

According to Suspilne, among the participants was Iryna, the wife of Stepan, a soldier with the 57th Separate Rifle Battalion. In April 2022, the man went to the front, and since March 2023, he has been missing. The last information about him came from a fellow soldier who was released from captivity, who confirmed that the man was in captivity. There is no official confirmation of this, but the woman does not lose hope of bringing him home.

Another participant told about the disappearance of her husband in September 2024. The family is searching for him on their own, using all possible connections, hoping to get any information.

Alina came to support the initiative because her husband Serhiy, a soldier with the 154th Brigade, also went missing on September 16. The enemy shelling and loss of positions were the last news about him.

"My dream is your will. When will I see you in the exchange?", "Captivity is 24 months, 104 weeks!", "I'm waiting for my dad's arms for 1043 days", "Every exchange is a hope!" - with the help of homemade posters, the relatives of the prisoners seem to be addressing their loved ones.

The rally in Mykolaiv was another reminder that hundreds of families in Ukraine live between hope and uncertainty every day. Their struggle continues, and they will not stop until they get answers.

Also, relatives and friends of the soldiers who were captured or went missing organized a traditional remembrance event in the center of Odesa. The organizers emphasized that the frontline is moving across Ukraine and can reach the city. They also emphasized that the war will affect everyone, and that the relatives and friends of passersby may end up in captivity themselves, and then they will also join the ranks of the protesters.

In early February, Ukraine returned home 25 marines who had been held captive by Russia. Among them are soldiers from Mykolaiv region. Most of them are defenders of Mariupol who held the city to the last. On New Year's Eve, 189 Ukrainians returned home from captivity.

In total, 3,956 people have returned from Russian captivity as part of the work of the Coordination Center on behalf of the President of Ukraine, including 1,358 prisoners released in 2024.

Анна Бальчінос