(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Representatives of the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war told Ukrinform the following after their visit to Türkiye, during which they met with the Ambassador of Ukraine and the Turkish Ombudsman.

“We came to Türkiye to request diplomatic pressure on Russia. With Türkiye's facilitation, exchanges have already taken place, and we believe that an all-for-all exchange is achievable... The only way to make progress in this matter is to intensify pressure on Russia from Türkiye, Europe, and international institutions. There is no other way,” said Svitlana Liashko, head of the civil society organization Slidamy tykh, koho chekaiut (The Footsteps of Those Awaited) and wife of a missing Ukrainian defender whose captivity has been documented but not officially confirmed by the Russian side.

She warned that if an all-for-all exchange occurs, those not confirmed by Russia and considered missing may not be returned because they“do not officially exist on paper.”

“Starvation, cold, unsanitary conditions. Those with tuberculosis are held together with healthy prisoners. Conditions are horrific, and there is no medical assistance. The wounded and the ill must be returned, and attention must also be paid to the duration of captivity, because some have been imprisoned since 2014,” said Ms. Tetiana, sister of a prisoner of war from the Azov Regiment.

She also stressed that, despite existing international norms, there is no possibility of correspondence or any communication with relatives held in Russian captivity.

“There is no communication until a person is transferred to investigation or receives a sentence. Letters sent through the Red Cross or via Ombudspersons go unanswered. None of us has received a reply to our letters,” Ms. Tetiana said.

She added that when appeals are filed, sentences are not reduced but rather increased, which is why Ukrainians often choose not to appeal their imprisonment terms.

“We came here without dividing anyone by brigades or companies - we stand for every soldier. We ask the Turkish authorities to help improve conditions in captivity, to submit lists, and to return every soldier - whether a prisoner, missing, or deceased. We want to demonstrate that we exist and that we are fighting for the release of our loved ones,” said Ms. Oksana, representative of the civic movement Zvilnyty Vsikh (Release Everyone) and wife of a missing serviceman. Former prisoners of war have already joined the movement and are working toward the liberation of their comrades.

“My mission is to bring back my comrades from the 501st Battalion and the 36th Brigade, to bring back all prisoners. The most effective tool is public solidarity - when people gather at rallies to support their loved ones and spread information. That is why we are here. Türkiye helped significantly in the past; major exchanges were carried out with its support. We are grateful for that assistance, but it must continue until everyone returns from captivity,” said a former prisoner of war who was captured during the defense of Mariupol.

Delegation members emphasized that Russia must provide information on all Ukrainians held in its captivity, as there is evidence concerning many defenders and civilians. Still, their imprisonment has not been officially confirmed by the Russian side.

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The families of Ukrainian prisoners expressed their gratitude to the Turkish leadership, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for supporting efforts to secure the return of military personnel, civilians, and political prisoners from Russian captivity.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Turkish Ombudsman met with the families of Ukrainian prisoner and emphasized that Türkiye will continue its diplomatic efforts to end the war and to address humanitarian issues, including the return of Ukrainians - both military and civilian - from Russian captivity.

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