Poging GOUD - Vrij

Ukrainian Woman Searches for Husband Lost in Action Amid Conflict with Russia

The Straits Times

|

June 11, 2025

When gaunt Ukrainian soldiers dismount from buses as part of prisoner swaps with Russia, Ms. Mariia Pylnyk tries to find out anything she can about her missing husband from the freed men, and hopes, just maybe, that he will be among them.

Ukrainian Woman Searches for Husband Lost in Action Amid Conflict with Russia

CHERNIHIV, Ukraine — When gaunt Ukrainian soldiers dismount from buses as part of prisoner swaps with Russia, Ms. Mariia Pylnyk tries to find out anything she can about her missing husband from the freed men, and hopes, just maybe, that he will be among them.

Holding up a photograph of Mr. Dmytro Pylnyk, who was lost in action in early 2023, she has many questions.

What happened to his unit when it was ambushed by Russian forces? Was he captured by Russia? Could he eventually be released?

The mass prisoner swap in May was an opportunity for people like her to ask troops just out of Russian captivity about missing loved ones who they believe, or simply hope, are prisoners of war. The alternative is unthinkable.

"I hold out great hope that someone has heard something, seen something," Ms. Pylnyk, 29, told Reuters at a recent exchange in May, flanked by other relatives of those missing in action.

"My son and I are waiting for (his) dad to come home. Hope dies last. God willing, it'll all be okay and Dad will come back."

Precise numbers for soldiers missing in action are not made public.

For Ukrainians, and for Russians on the other side of the conflict, it can be hard to find out even basic information. Ms. Pylnyk says she has written to government agencies and Russian authorities and learnt almost nothing.

MEER VERHALEN VAN The Straits Times

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Amorim sacked after fiery outburst at United's board

LONDON - English Premier League giants Manchester United have fired their manager Ruben Amorim, the club announced on Jan 5.

time to read

3 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

Former DPM Heng leaves MAS board after two decades

Former deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat has relinquished his position as a member of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) board of directors, the authority announced on Jan 5.

time to read

1 min

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Venezuela action displays US militarys ‘most fearsome’ might

Key to success was not only accurate intelligence, but also flawless preparation

time to read

4 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

How are Singapore youth hashing out their career aspirations?

In a world of greater flux, they don’t let rigid plans get in the way of seizing opportunities

time to read

9 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

Oil prices unlikely to be hit in the near term

The removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States in a stunning military operation is unlikely to have meaningful near-term impact on global crude oil prices, analysts said.

time to read

4 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

Circumbendibus shooting for third straight win

Jan 7 South Africa (Greyville) preview

time to read

3 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

It was not an invasion, not illegal, not about oil: US defends capture of Venezuela’s Maduro

AUSTIN The Trump administration launched a forceful defence of its Venezuela operations a day after facing worldwide condemnation for whisking away the country’s President Nicolas Maduro to face a trial on “narco-terrorism” charges in New York.

time to read

5 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

MOE will continue efforts to ease teachers' workload: Minister

The workload of teachers will remain a key focus in the new year, as the Ministry of Education (MOE) continues efforts to rethink teachers’ duties and work processes.

time to read

4 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Time to shut down the Singapore Biennale?

The event feels haphazard, disconnected from the community, and inaccessible to even determined artsgoers.

time to read

6 mins

January 06, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Lee Lung Kei breaks up with fiancee after learning she is married with a son

The “grandpa-granddaughter” romance between Hong Kong actor Lee Lung Kei, 75, and a woman 36 years his junior is over.

time to read

1 mins

January 06, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size