28 June 2026
(PHOTO: Intent)
Relatives of prisoners of war held a rally in downtown Odesa to show support for the captives, during which they unfurled a 100-meter flag.
As Viktoria, the event’s organizer, explained to Intent, the rally—held specifically on Constitution Day—is meant to remind people that the Constitution is the law that guarantees that life in Ukraine is the highest social value.
“We came out to show that we remember the prisoners of war and that we remember they are protected by Article 3 of the Constitution of Ukraine,” explained Viktoria, whose brother is currently a prisoner of war.
Lyudmila Leyva Garcia, the sister of a marine, thanked the air defense forces for ensuring that today’s rally could take place without an air raid alert, though the reason for the gathering is a somber one.
“Although we’ve been able to welcome our defender home from captivity, we know how painful it is, how difficult it is. Searching, waiting, knowing nothing about a loved one. That’s why we keep coming here—to show our unity and support those who are still waiting,” she said.
It should be noted that the prisoner exchange, which took place on June 26, brought home four servicemen from the Odesa region. In total, 160 defenders have returned from captivity, most of whom had been held since 2022—servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including members of the Ground Forces, Support Forces, Airborne Assault Forces, Territorial Defense, the Air Force, Medical Forces, and the Navy, as well as fighters from the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the State Border Guard Service.
This is the second exchange in a month. On June 5, 185 servicemen returned from captivity, 12 of whom were from the Odesa region.The largest groupfrom the Odesa region consisted of four defenders. Two servicemen from the Rozdilnyanskyi District and two from the Podilsky District also returned home. The Berezivsky, Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky, and Bolhrad districts, as well as the city of Izmail, also welcomed their residents back.
In May,thefirstphaseof the “1,000 for 1,000” prisoner exchange took place in accordance with agreements reached through U.S. mediation, and 205 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home. Most of them were taken prisoner during the defense of Mariupol.
The length of captivity is the key criterion for compiling the “1,000 for 1,000” exchange lists. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, more than fifty officers were also returned home. Among those released today is a National Guard soldier who was captured at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Кирило Бойко