Families of Ukrainian prisoners of war face unimaginable pressures. Many are contacted by Russian agents who demand acts of sabotage in exchange for better treatment or the release of their loved ones, writes Digi24.
It is estimated that more than 8,000 Ukrainians are in Russian captivity. One of these families is Svitlana’s, whose story sheds light on the challenges faced by those left behind.
Svitlana’s husband, Dima, a military doctor, was captured by Russian forces over two years ago.
For a long time, she had no news of him. Then one day, she received a phone call from a man identifying himself as Dmitry.
He spoke with a Russian accent and presented her with an offer. If she agreed to sabotage military targets in Ukraine, Dima might receive better treatment or even an early release.
Dmitry gave her detailed instructions. He suggested tasks like setting fire to a railway junction or revealing the location of air defense systems.
He explained how to make Molotov cocktails and avoid detection. He demanded proof of her actions, promising a phone call with her husband in return.
Svitlana remembered the advice given by Ukrainian authorities: stall for time, record everything, and report the incident.
She followed these instructions, pretending to cooperate while sharing the details with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).
Eventually, she told Dmitry she wouldn’t go through with the acts. That’s when the threats began.
Dmitry told her she would never see her husband again and claimed he was being tortured because of her refusal.
Despite the pressure, Svitlana stood firm. The SBU assured her that collaboration with Russian agents would not improve Dima’s situation.
They warned her that such actions could lead to serious consequences, including life imprisonment for treason.
After years of uncertainty, Svitlana’s ordeal ended with Dima’s release. The family is now reunited and cherishing their time together.
Reflecting on her experience, Svitlana says, “I held on because I knew my husband would never forgive me if I gave in. As I always say, I’m an officer’s wife.”
