On July 29, 2025, the Department of Family, Youth, and Mass National-Patriotic Education of the Regional State Administration, in collaboration with the "Center of Unity and National Resistance" platform, held a regional event dedicated to the Day of Remembrance for the Defenders of Ukraine, volunteer formation participants, and civilians who were executed, tortured, or died in captivity.
The event took place in a "living library" format. Participants had the opportunity to hear the real story of Svitlana Aslanova from the Manhush community – the daughter of a serviceman who survived captivity and returned home. Svitlana shared difficult memories of her waiting period and her father's account of his time in captivity. Her words became a true testament to the daily struggle our people endure in enemy captivity, a struggle waged by the families of prisoners not only against their own despair and fear, but also for truth, for societal support, for preserving humanity in inhumane conditions, and for freedom. Svitlana spoke about her participation in numerous actions supporting prisoners of war, missing persons, and civilian hostages, and about appeals to government bodies, international institutions, and public organizations. Her family, like thousands of others, refused to give up, finding strength in unity and mutual support with other families of the missing and captured.
Behind each such story lie the lives of prisoners and the fates of families who, despite pain and loss, continue to fight for truth and for the return of their loved ones. Their resilience and unity serve as an example of true courage.
As long as we remember and continue to speak about these stories, we stand together in defense of justice. This shared memory unites us in our aspiration for victory and peace.