Hope and Heartache: Ukrainians Await a Christmas Miracle in Prisoner Exchange

In light of diminishing exchanges, families of Ukrainian soldiers and prisoners express deep emotional ties and fervent hopes for reunions this holiday season, as many loved ones remain unaccounted for in Russian captivity.

Amidst the frosty air of Ukraine’s winter, the hope for a prisoner exchange with Russia looms large as families prepare to welcome the New Year. Ukrainian officials, including Petro Yatsenko from the Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, have indicated that negotiations are ongoing, albeit fraught with challenges. The count of successful exchanges in 2024 dwindles, with only ten reported—marking a significant decline since the onset of the full-scale invasion.

While exact numbers of captives remain undisclosed, estimates suggest that around 8,000 Ukrainians are held in Russian facilities. The precarious situation on the battlefield, with Russian forces gaining ground, has inadvertently raised fears of increasing captives.

Among those who have been reunited through recent exchanges is Andriy Turas, a Ukrainian marine who, along with his wife Lena, has faced harrowing experiences during captivity. The couple was taken prisoner while defending Mariupol in 2022. Lena recalls the psychological manipulation inflicted by their captors, who attempted to obliterate their Ukrainian identity. “They held lectures with us about how Ukraine never existed,” she describes, expressing the emotional toll of her detainment.

Released after just two weeks, Lena is left with deep-seated psychological scars. Her husband Andriy faced a lengthier ordeal, spending two-and-a-half years in captivity. Since his release in September 2024, he has been reconnecting with his young son Leon, whom he had not met until his return. Lena received the news of her pregnancy while Andriy was imprisoned, amplifying her anguish. “I thought I was the happiest person in the world,” Andriy reflects on meeting Leon for the first time, a rare moment of joy amidst the ongoing turmoil.

While Andriy begins the journey of rehabilitation in Lviv, the couple embraces their first Christmas together as a family. “Having Daddy home is the best present for little Leon,” Lena shares.

However, many Ukrainian families remain in despair as they wait for news about their loved ones. In central Kyiv, a poignant Christmas demonstration draws relatives and activists seeking visibility for those still imprisoned. Tetiana, whose son Artem has been missing for almost three years, calls out for a miracle during this festive season as she imagines the long-awaited reunion. "My deepest wish is to hug him again," she states, surrounded by fellow supporters.

Similarly, Liliya Ivashchyk, a ballet dancer, finds solace in her art while grappling with the absence of her boyfriend Bohdan, who has been in captivity since 2022. Engaging in daily communication, she sends him love-filled messages. "I miss him a lot. He needs to be saved," she expresses, her emotions evident as she prepares for her performance on Christmas Day.

Although the ongoing war casts a shadow on the festive spirit, performers and theatre-goers alike express gratitude for the resilience of their army, recognizing the sacrifices made. "We must remember to thank our army for allowing us to celebrate anything at all," Liliya says, capturing the bittersweet essence of this Christmas amid a brutal conflict.