BBC reports that many Ukrainians have loved ones either fighting on the frontline or in captivity. A Ukrainian official expressed hope for a New Year prisoner exchange with Russia, although the arrangements could still fall through. Petro Yatsenko from Ukraine’s Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War mentioned that negotiations with Moscow have become more challenging as Russian forces advance on the front line.
The number of prisoner exchanges in 2024 was the lowest since the invasion began, with over 8,000 Ukrainian prisoners believed to be held by Russia. One of the released prisoners, Ukrainian marine Andriy Turas, shared the harrowing story of his captivity with his wife Lena. They were both captured in 2022 while defending the city of Mariupol. Lena described the psychological torture they endured at the hands of their Russian captors.
Andriy detailed the physical abuse they faced, including beatings and forced labor. Lena was released after two weeks, but Andriy spent two and a half years in captivity. Upon his release, Andriy met his two-year-old son for the first time, a child he didn’t know he had when they were captured.
While the BBC cannot independently verify their accounts, international organizations have corroborated the stories of Ukrainian prisoners of war. The UN reported widespread torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners by Russia. The Russian Embassy in London denied these allegations, stating that captured Ukrainian militants are treated humanely.
Andriy is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Lviv and spending time with his family during the holidays. However, many Ukrainian families are still waiting for news of their loved ones. In Kyiv, relatives and activists gathered for a Christmas demonstration calling for the release of Ukrainian prisoners, including Tetiana, whose son Artem was captured three years ago, and Liliya, whose boyfriend Bohdan has been missing since 2022.
Liliya, a ballet dancer, sends messages to Bohdan daily, expressing her longing for his return. Despite the pain of missing loved ones during the holidays, Liliya performs in a special Christmas Day show, hoping for a brighter future. The Christmas holidays remain a painful period for many Ukrainians as they wait for news of their missing family members. Después de casi tres años de guerra, casi todo el mundo aquí tiene un ser querido luchando en el frente, en cautiverio o muerto en combate. “Mucha gente en Ucrania está enfrentando situaciones difíciles”, dice Liliya. “Solo estamos esperando el momento en que podamos celebrar juntos de nuevo. Debemos recordar agradecer a nuestro ejército por el hecho de que tengamos cualquier festividad en absoluto.” Los ucranianos están luchando por mantener viva la alegría navideña.