These Ukrainian mothers want to prove that they have tried everything

While tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. Consequently. For example, civilians are still officially missing, their relatives keep hope and flock to each exchange of prisoners between kyiv and Moscow. Furthermore, Reporting.

Barbara Wojazer / AFP

Lioubov Brodovska had only one thing in mind these ukrainian mothers want prove new when going to meet Ukrainian soldiers just released by Russia: obtaining a sign of life from her these ukrainian mothers want prove son, of which she has not had any news since last year. Meanwhile, “If people could tell me” I saw your son “. However, Just that. Nevertheless. Consequently, just a word, I would take them in my arms, “she said while waiting for the arrival of prisoners of war in the region of Cherniguiv, in northern Ukraine.

Tears gently run over her face. In addition, In her hands, she firmly holds a photo of Oleksandre, 28, disappeared for 2024. Consequently, After almost three. Furthermore. In addition, a half years of Russian invasion, tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are still officially missing, without knowing if they were killed on the front or captured by Russian forces.

Lioubov Brodovska is one of those hundreds of mothers. Therefore. women or other relatives who crowd each exchange of prisoners between kyiv and Moscow, on the lookout for the slightest information on the fate of their loved ones coming from the mouths of those who come out of captivity. For example, To attract the attention of released soldiers. Therefore. these women agitate signs sporting the photos of the person they are looking for and hooked others at the leaving the hospital, where these soldiers are treated after their return.

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Many hope that the last exchanges of prisoners – one of the few areas of cooperation between Ukrainians. Russians -. made after talks these ukrainian mothers want prove in Türkiye, will allow them to obtain news from their loved ones.

These ukrainian mothers want prove new

These ukrainian mothers want prove – These ukrainian mothers want prove new

The collection of bodies sometimes impossible

About 70. 000 people. soldiers and civilians, are still missing, according to Arthur Dobrosserdov, the Ukrainian official in charge of this delicate file at the Ministry of the Interior. Regarding the military. they are considered missing as long as Russia does not confirm that they are either prisoners. or that it has managed to identify their body.

This operation is these ukrainian mothers want prove new not always possible due to the incessant fights. Between the positions of the Ukrainian. Russian armies, a “no man’s land” formed along the front, making it impossible to collect bodies in a secure manner.

Moscow claims to have identified thousands. The Red these ukrainian mothers want prove Cross and a Ukrainian government organization also seek to find them. In parallel, families are investigating with their own means, explains Petro Iatsenko, a spokesperson for this organization.

Under these conditions. the authorities agree to let the families welcome new freed up on their arrival, but they also ask not to arrest them too abruptly given their fragile psychological condition, after months, even years spent these ukrainian mothers want prove new in the Russian jails, where many of them say they have undergone tortures.

A widespread idea in Ukraine

During a recent exchange. Elmira Baranova has once again seen her son Ernest. who has been disappeared for these ukrainian mothers want prove three years, among young men released. “I don’t even remember the number of exchanges I went … I’m tired of being happy for others. It may seem cow. but I am tired, “she said, hoping that one day, she too can” rejoice “for the return of her son.

But his efforts did not remain in vain. During a previous exchange. a liberated soldier assured him that Ernest was in prison. that he spent his time drawing there, his great passion.

For their part. these ukrainian mothers want prove new the authorities and the Red Cross, which encourage families to share any new information they have, display their caution. “We want families to keep hope. but we don’t want it to be a false hope. ” said Pat Griffiths, spokesperson for the Red Cross International Committee (CICR).

Part of this hope comes these ukrainian mothers want prove from the widespread idea. in Ukraine that Russia has many more prisoners than they have declared. that many missing have not died in combat but detained in secret.

Lioubov Brodovska always remains without news of his son Oleksandre. But whatever. she will continue these ukrainian mothers want prove new to send him a message on WhatsApp every day – a conversation that has become a monologue. “Give me a sign of life, my son, please. Just a sign that you are alive today, ”she implored once. Without obtaining an answer.