Relatives of captured soldiers set up a Christmas Eve table in the center of Lviv for their loved ones.

On Saturday, December 21, relatives of soldiers from the 24th and 63rd separate mechanized brigades organized an event to support the imprisoned and missing military personnel. Dozens of people participated in the event, gathering at the Taras Shevchenko monument in the center of Lviv. A table adorned with Christmas decorations and empty chairs was set up in the middle of the square. The event was held under the slogan “Everyone is imprisoned by the holidays; they are the missing prisoners during the festivities.”

Lyubov Fedyna from Horodok, near Lviv, attended the event. Her 36-year-old son was captured in December 2023.

“My son went to war right in February 2022. He said, 'Who if not us?' He couldn’t stay at home. He initially served in the 24th brigade, then was transferred to the 63rd, fighting near Bakhmut. My son went missing on December 25, 2023, but it later became known that he was in captivity. I wait for him and love him very much. He studied, worked hard, and helped us. My husband and I feel lost without him. He is a very kind person and has many friends. His comrade returned from captivity and testified that my son is alive. We wrote him letters…,” Lyubov Fedyna told ZAXID.NET.

Lyubov brought her son's portrait and his rosary to the event. The rosary was handed to her by the military comrade.

“When he last went on a combat mission, he left his rosary and many of his belongings at the position. My husband and I are waiting for him to return soon. My son always said he had a lot of luck,” said Lyubov Fedyna.

The organizers of the event set up an art installation in front of the Shevchenko monument. Photo by ZAXID.NET

Galina Zanko from Velyki Mosty is also waiting for her son to return from captivity. Her 27-year-old son participated in the ATO, returned to civilian life, and worked in Poland. When the full-scale invasion began, he returned to Ukraine and joined the defense of the country in the ranks of the 24th brigade.

“Since March 1, 2022, my son was already in Luhansk. He went missing on March 12 in Popasna, and we have known almost nothing about him for nearly three years. The Coordination Headquarters assures us that they have their sources confirming that he is indeed in captivity. We believe strongly that he will return; I have immense faith that my son is alive. He appears in dreams to my nephews and says, 'Be quiet, I will return soon,'” Galina Zanko told ZAXID.NET.

Relatives of the imprisoned soldiers participated in the event in Lviv. Photo by ZAXID.NET

It is worth noting that the last exchange of prisoners took place on the night of October 18-19, 2024, when 95 defenders returned home.