In the Easter "exchange" with Russia, seven civilian Ukrainians were brought back from captivity. Among them were Mykola Shcherbyna, Kostiantyn Tytarenko, and Oleh B., whose cases our Association had been handling. We are not disclosing Oleh's surname at his own request.

For us, this is more than good news. It is the result of long, complex, often invisible work — by families, state institutions, and everyone who supports the cases of unlawfully detained civilians day after day.

Oleh B.'s case was particularly important to us. When we got involved, very little was known about his abduction. We managed to find witnesses, conduct our own investigation, locate his relatives, support them throughout, and gather the information needed to help include Oleh in the exchange lists.

We supported the families of Mykola Shcherbyna and Oleh B. throughout: we provided legal assistance, helped them complete every necessary stage of formal applications, documentation, and engagement with state bodies, and advocated on their behalf to bring their release closer. In Kostiantyn Tytarenko's case, our documentation of the crimes committed by Russian forces helped strengthen the evidence base needed for his release.

Mykola Shcherbyna's story is yet another reminder of what civilians in Russian captivity go through. In November 2022, when Mykola was 21, Russian occupying forces abducted him in Novotroitske, Kherson region — from his grandmother's home, where he had come to stay during the occupation. The Russians accused him of "espionage." After that, his family knew almost nothing about his fate for a long time. Only from the testimony of others released from captivity did it become known that Mykola had been beaten, was severely emaciated, had serious problems with his legs, and was constantly moved from one place of detention to another. Now he is back with his family.

Behind every return are months — often years — of struggle. That is why this release is not only cause for joy. It is also a reminder to all the families still waiting: advocacy, documentation, legal assistance, and persistence make a difference.

We thank the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and everyone working to bring unlawfully detained civilians home.

Photo from the Facebook page of the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

The work of our case documenters and legal assistance team is carried out with the financial support of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED). The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the official position of EED. The information and views set out in this publication are the sole responsibility of the NGO Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners of the Kremlin.