Kyiv Rally Reminds the World: “Silence Kills – Support POWs and Missing Ukrainians”

Today, September 28, in Kyiv, relatives of prisoners of war and missing persons traditionally gathered for a peaceful reminder action “Don’t Be Silent! Captivity Kills.” Local eyewitnesses and organizers emphasize that such weekly gatherings draw public attention to the needs of bringing people home from captivity and the search for those not yet found. Participants gathered in the city center, near the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Ukraine.

The reminder action “Don’t Be Silent, Captivity Kills” in Kyiv on September 28 is part of a series of events aimed at drawing attention to the problems of captives and missing persons among Ukrainians.

Victoria waits for her beloved’s return. He disappeared in the Donetsk direction during the latest operations, and the woman believes such events should be held regularly to remind citizens and the world community about the problem of returning people from captivity and the search for the missing.

“It’s very important. It’s very important to me. This has become a small Sunday tradition for me. I really want people to hear us, I really want every hero to return.”

The participant of the action Victoria explained why such gatherings are needed weekly. According to her, such events support those who are still in captivity or missing, and allow relatives to feel that their memory does not fade.

Chronicle of events and context

Mykhailo’s brother disappeared without a trace in the Lyman direction. This November he would have turned 33.

“He disappeared on March 1, 2024. It has been 18 months; we don’t know where he is or what happened to him. Whether he is in captivity, or… Unfortunately, there is no information at all,” – Mykhailo said.

The participant Mykhailo adds that it is necessary to continue gathering for such events. He believes that supporting the families of captives allows people to feel that they are not alone in their memories and in waiting for their return.

“We must be the voices of our captured servicemen and civilians. Because if we remain silent, no one will know what we are looking for. Also they will come back from captivity; they will see that we have not forgotten about them. That we waited for them and believed that they would return alive. While we are here behind the lines, we must be their voices.”

The reminder action continues to gather people with photos of loved ones and posters. Passing cars often honked in support, and other drivers joined in with gestures.

According to official reports, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 68 prisoner exchanges have been conducted, during which more than 7,000 Ukrainian citizens have been freed. On August 24, another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place; Ukrainian soldiers and eight civilians returned home. The Coordination Headquarters for the Handling of Prisoners reported that 33 military personnel and 51 civilians were back home. The youngest among those released is 26 years old, the oldest 74. One of them spent seven years in a Russian prison, starting in 2018. It is also reported that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has brought home 5,857 Ukrainians from captivity, and outside exchanges – more than 550.