Try GOLD - Free
Thousands of Ukrainian Civilians Are Still Held by Russia With Uncertain Hope of Release
The Statesman Kolkata
|April 08, 2025
When she heard her front door open almost two years ago, Kostiantyn Zinovkin's mother thought her son had returned home because he forgot something. Instead, men in balaclavas burst into the apartment in Melitopol, a southern Ukrainian city occupied by Russian forces.
They said Zinovkin was detained for a minor infraction and would be released soon. They used his key to enter, said his wife, Liusiena (photo), and searched the flat so thoroughly that they tore it apart "into molecules."
But Zinovkin wasn't released. Weeks after his May 2023 arrest, the Russians told his mother he was plotting a terrorist attack. He's now standing trial on charges his family calls absurd.
This story is from the April 08, 2025 edition of The Statesman Kolkata.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Statesman Kolkata
The Statesman
Fifty Shades of Green
Kerala takes my breath away.
4 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman
Farooq’s RS poll list exclusion sparks buzz
The ruling National Conference (NC) keeping the party chief and political stalwart Dr Farooq Abdullah out of the list of its candidates for the RS polls in J&K has come as a big surprise for the people and political observers.
1 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman
Student alleges rape in Durgapur, police launch probe
The New Township Police Station (NTPS), under the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC), launched an investigation following a complaint of alleged rape of a second-year MBBS student of a private medical college in Durgapur lodged last night.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman
Israel rejects freeing from prison the most popular Palestinian leader
The most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader ~ Marwan Barghouti ~ is not among the prisoners Israel intends to free in exchange for hostages held by Hamas under the new Gaza ceasefire deal.
1 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman
MEA distances itself from Afghan Embassy controversy
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has distanced itself from the controversy regarding the Afghan embassy's decision to deny access to women journalists during a press conference held by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman
UP govt targets zero stubble burning by 2025-26; heavy fines for violators
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict directives to curb stubble burning in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to reduce incidents to zero by FY 2025-26.
1 min
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Healing through stories
Maya had always loved photography, but after her grandma passed away, she found it hard to pick up her camera. Everything reminded her of her grandma, who had taught her how to take pictures.
1 min
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Right Track
When just-retired Surekha Yadav climbed into the cabin of her first train in 1989, she wasn't setting out to make history.
2 mins
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
ICG ship arrives in Maputo with aid, boosts regional cooperation
As part of its ongoing overseas deployment to Africa, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship, Sachet, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) made a port call in Maputo, Mozambique on Saturday.
1 min
October 12, 2025
The Statesman Kolkata
Shapoorji Pallonjibacks Tata Sons listing, pledges ‘constructive role’
Construction and engineering major Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry Group officially issued a statement on Saturday that it supports public listing of Tata Sons, which is the holding company of the Tata Group, saying that it would play a “constructive role”.
1 mins
October 12, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size