Svitlana's husband was captured by the Russians over two years ago. Unexpectedly, the woman received a phone call – Russian agents tried to convince her with promises to release her husband for treason against Ukraine – writes the BBC. According to journalists, Russia's special services are trying to recruit about 50 percent of the family members of Ukrainian prisoners.
“42-year-old Svitlana had been waiting for news about her husband Dima, a military medic captured by the Russians, for over two years when she suddenly received a phone call. The voice on the other end told her that if she committed treason against Ukraine, Dima would be treated better in prison, and maybe even released earlier. The man who introduced himself as Dmitry had a Russian accent,” writes the BBC.
Svitlana was presented with several options for sabotage activities, including: setting fire to a military recruitment center, a military vehicle, sabotaging railway lines or revealing the location of nearby air defense units.
“When Dmitry presented his proposal, Svitlana recalled the instructions that the Ukrainian authorities gave to the families of prisoners in case they were contacted by Russian agents: play for time, record everything and take photos. And report it,” writes the BBC.
Prisoner exchange between Russia and UkraineMinistry of Defense of Ukraine
Svitlana reported the case and the Security Service Ukraine (SBU) asked her to play for time while she investigates the matter. “So she decided to pretend that she agreed to blow up the train tracks,” the article says. Dmitry instructed her how to make a Molotov cocktail, how to hide from the cameras and how to prove the completion of the assigned mission.
After some time, the SBU confirmed to Svitlana that the man who called her was Russian and told her to stop contact with him, reports the BBC. – Then the threats started. He said they would kill my husband and that I would never see him again. (…) He kept calling and saying: “They are torturing your husband and it is your fault,” says Svetlana.
However, the woman remained adamant, and Dima was released three months ago.
The SBU advises against cooperation with Russian agents
In a statement sent to the BBC, the SBU emphasized that cooperation between the families of captured soldiers and Russian agents does not improve the situation of the prisoners and may even be counter-effective.
She added that family members who report that they were contacted by Russian intelligence are protected. However, those who agree to commit sabotage or espionage will be considered traitors and face up to life imprisonment.
The authorities in Kiev do not publish data on the number of prisoners, but it is estimated that Russia There are about 8,000 Ukrainians in captivity, reports the BBC.
Main photo source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine