In 2.7 years, I made just one call—this is the story of a captive.

Alla Spiridonova has been waiting for the return of her son Yuri from captivity for 2 years and 7 months. He voluntarily enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine before the war began and served in the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade. He first made contact in October of last year.

https://news.novyny.live/ru/za-27-roki-podzvoniv-lishe-raz-istoriia-polonenogo-226358.html2025-01-15 07:15:26

Alla shared this with Novini.LIVE.

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The woman recounts that before the onset of the Russian invasion, her son had just been demobilized from his mandatory service. As soon as the war began, he immediately went to the military enlistment office.

"We didn't even have time to call him before he went. I didn't try to dissuade him because my son-in-law is also serving. The guys said right away: 'Who are we not to be? This is our state and our country.' My family and I did not leave anywhere; we will stay here for our Ukraine until the last drop! We believe in victory, there is still great hope, and everything will be fine.", the woman assured.

Yuri has been a prisoner of war in Russia for 2.7 years. He was captured in May 2022 in the Kharkiv region, specifically in Izium. Initially, he was considered missing, but 27 days after his disappearance, his mother found her son on Russian social media, on the website "Ishi khokhlov 18+". This site publishes information about captured Ukrainian soldiers.

"I searched for him every day for 27 days, I couldn't sleep at night. I told everyone who was looking for their loved ones to check that site. Then I informed all our services so they would know that my son was a prisoner. I have confirmation from the Red Cross that Yurich is in prison in Ivanovo region in Russia."

Alla explains that her son called her for the first time from there on October 5, 2023. His voice on the line was sad:

"He has always been so cheerful in life, but this time he sounded very sad. I didn't expect that call and started to cry, and he said: 'Mom, don't cry, everything is fine, everything is fine!' But there was no joy in his voice. However, I am happy that he is alive because it is very painful when our children are not found. They are trying to win that victory for all of us."

Alla added that she is very happy when Ukraine brings back captured soldiers and is eagerly awaiting her son's return from there.

As a reminder, according to member of the National Security Committee and MP Fedor Venislavsky, in the coming months, there should not be an expectation of rapid and mass demobilization from the army.

According to a study conducted by texty.org.ua, most of the mobilized soldiers on the front line are men aged 35-40 years.