Mykolaiv Rally Unites 250 Citizens to Support POWs and Missing Defenders

More than 250 Mykolaiv residents gathered at the rally to support the prisoners of war and missing defenders. Relatives do not lose hope and urge society not to forget about those who have not yet returned home.

This was reported by Suspilne.

On Sunday, a weekly action in support of prisoners of war and missing defenders was held in Mykolaiv. The square was attended by 250 people - relatives, friends and concerned citizens - to remind them of those who have not yet returned home.

Among the participants was Natalia, whose son, a fighter with the 501st Battalion, is in Russian captivity. She emphasizes that all heroes must return alive.

My son is in Mordovia, where the conditions for prisoners are terrible. I want him to come home, so I am here," the woman said.

Olena has been waiting for her husband, who has been held in captivity, for 28 months. According to her, such events allow people to support each other and remind society of the problem.

Olha, the mother of a marine who went missing, came to the event from Ochakiv. She last heard from her son on December 6, 2024.

Oleksandra, a local resident, also joined the event, believing that it is important to constantly talk about prisoners of war and fight for their return in all possible ways.

Campaigns in support of prisoners of war and missing Ukrainian defenders continue, uniting people in a common struggle for their return.

Last week's weekly event brought together 220 people with flags, posters and photos of their relatives and friends. Among the participants was Denys, a marine who returned from Russian captivity after 993 days.

In February, Ukraine released 25 marines who had been held in Russian captivity. Among them are 18 marines from the 36th Separate Brigade, two soldiers from the 1st Separate Battalion and five from the 501st Battalion. Most of them are Mariupol defenders who held the city to the last.

Last year, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners died in Russian prisons after the start of the full-scale invasion. Given the lack of international scrutiny, the actual number of casualties could be much higher.

Анна Бальчінос