Thousands of families are still unaware of the whereabouts of their loved ones. They have the right to know the truth.

On Sunday, July 20, a rally was held on Taras Shevchenko Boulevard in Kyiv to support Ukrainian prisoners of war. The event was attended by relatives of defenders, activists, military personnel, and concerned citizens.

The rally began at 5:00 PM at the section between Volodymyrska and Yevhen Chykalenko Streets. Participants held portraits of missing and captured Ukrainian soldiers, as well as banners demanding action for their release and appeals to the international community.

Organizers emphasized: silence kills. Society must not forget those who fight for their lives in captivity every day, as well as the defenders whose fates are still unknown.

During the rally, calls were made to the Ukrainian authorities and global organizations demanding to expedite the exchange process, locate the missing individuals, investigate cases of violence, and pressure Russia for violations of international humanitarian law.

It is worth noting that earlier in Russia, a court sentenced two Ukrainian servicemen — Ruslan Orlov and Artem Novikov — to lengthy prison terms: 26 and 24 years, respectively. The Russian side claimed that both allegedly served in the 'Azov' brigade and committed 'crimes against civilians' in Mariupol in April 2022. According to the investigation, the military opened fire on local residents with pro-Russian positions.

The Ukrainian side has repeatedly highlighted the illegality of the so-called 'trials' against prisoners and the systemic violations of international humanitarian law by Russia.