Former Ukrainian prisoners are facing an emotional turmoil as President Trump aims for a significant breakthrough in his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This potential ceasefire could lead to the release of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers still held in Russian jails. But, there’s a fear that it could mean that many have lost faith in the lives they once fought to defend.
One former prisoner, Oleksandr Didur, a member of Ukraine’s 36th Marine Infantry Brigade, recounted his harrowing experience of spending 15 months as a captive after being captured in April 2022. Through a translator, he described the “inhumane conditions,” including torture and psychological torment.
Yuliia Horoshanska, another soldier who endured four months in captivity, expressed deep pain over the terms being discussed to end the conflict. Trump’s proposal involves “swapping land” between Russia and Ukraine, which seems to suggest ceding parts of eastern Ukraine to Russia in return for their withdrawal from other regions.
Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky made it clear that the constitution would not allow such concessions. “I don’t want any more death, but I want to reclaim what has been taken from us,” Horoshanska stated.
Both Didur and Horoshanska were captured during the siege of Mariupol, a city now emblematic of both Putin’s brutality and Ukraine’s devastation. Reports indicate that hundreds perished in a bomb attack during the siege, which lasted almost three months, resulting in an estimated 8,000 casualties.
The former prisoners traveled to Washington, D.C., recently to shed light on the fate of their fellow soldiers. They are now ambassadors for the Azovstal organization, which aids former prisoners of war in reintegrating into civilian life.
Didur reflected on their fortunate position, saying, “We have the chance to talk about the plight of Ukrainian veterans and remind others that those defending Mariupol are still prisoners.” Current estimates suggest there are about 4,000 Ukrainian prisoners in Russia, though the exact figure remains contested by both Moscow and Kyiv.
Mariupol, once a vibrant city of 500,000, has been irrevocably altered, now marked by destruction and mourning. This devastation is detailed in a Human Rights Watch report that raises awareness about the ongoing crisis.
During the siege, civilians and soldiers found refuge in the Azovstal Steelworks, a vast industrial area. Despite various evacuation efforts, the Russians captured the factory in May 2022, taking thousands of soldiers as prisoners. Didur, who suffered severe injuries from a Russian tank attack, described how he was marked dead before showing signs of life and being granted medical care, losing his left eye and part of his hand along the way.
He noted the lack of adequate medical treatment, sharing that his broken arm was never properly addressed while he was a prisoner, highlighting the dismal conditions they faced.
The Azovstal initiative, launched by billionaire Linato Akhmetov, aims to support the transition of former prisoners into society. The Azovstal facility, once a symbol of resistance, is no longer operational, following the siege.
Additionally, the situation for Ukrainian civilians detained by Russia remains dire, with tens of thousands of Ukrainian children reportedly being taken, an act deemed a war crime by the International Criminal Court.
Dmytro Morozov, also an ambassador for Azovstal, mentioned the urgent need to remind people of the situation faced by both soldiers and civilians. Having lost significant weight during captivity, Morozov, who was wounded in Mariupol, resolved not to give in to the Russians, driven by the knowledge that his family had escaped.
His determination stemmed from the tragic loss of many family members to the conflict, amplifying his resolve to endure whatever suffering lay ahead. Morozov was eventually released in one of the early prisoner exchanges, part of ongoing negotiations facilitated by the Trump administration.
After years of conflict, approximately 60 prisoner swaps have been conducted, resulting in the return of about 1,000 Ukrainians from Russian captivity, including civilians.
Reports on released Ukrainian soldiers frequently indicate physical signs of abuse and suffering, increasing the call for additional exchanges. Horoshanska reflected on her own harrowing experience, revealing that after being injured during a Russian airstrike, she lost her entire squad and struggled with feelings of guilt for surviving.
Located in the eastern Donetsk region, Mariupol is predominantly under Russian control and likely to be part of the “land exchange” Trump is advocating for. Presently, Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine, including strategic regions like the Crimean Peninsula.
In a recent address, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine’s constitution prohibits surrendering territory. Nonetheless, polling indicates that over half of Ukrainians are open to discussing territorial concessions for peace. Trump’s propositions seem to hint at a significant handover of areas in exchange for Russia’s withdrawal from other occupied territories, with proposed security guarantees for Ukraine. Horoshanska, contemplating the complex choices ahead, expressed a desire to return home, despite the destruction that now defines her childhood memories.
