1000 days of captivity. A rally was held in Kyiv to support the imprisoned defenders. (PHOTO)

This was reported by a correspondent from hromadske.

A few dozen people gathered for the rally near the Verkhovna Rada. Among them were the loved ones and relatives of the captured defenders.

For many participants, this demonstration is not their first. Families are still waiting for the soldiers who defended Mariupol to be released from captivity.

“The longer a person is held, the more severe the consequences for their health and overall condition. It is very difficult for the relatives. We are doing everything we can, knocking on every door. Everyone has their own story, their own pain. But we are united by one thing,” said Irina, the mother of a captured defender from Mariupol in the Sumy region.

“Our relatives are held captive in Chechnya, in the city of Grozny. There have been no exchanges for two years. There are about 200 people there – we don’t know the exact number – many prisoners have not been exchanged for two years. While some 'Azov' members from Mariupol are still exchanged, there is complete silence regarding Chechnya. We gathered to remind everyone that our loved ones are there, and they also want to come home,” said Oksana Biletska, a relative of one of the captives.

She noted that among these prisoners are men who have not yet seen their children, who are now two years old. Additionally, the relatives have no communication or information regarding the health status of these captives, nor do they know if they are receiving medical assistance.

Ruzana Musaeva mentioned that her son, born in 2005, is the youngest prisoner held in Chechnya. In 2024, he was captured in Avdiivka. A month after losing contact with her son, she received confirmation of his captivity. The woman claims that there have been no exchanges for those held in Chechnya for 20 months.