Kyiv International Airport Welcomes Released Ukrainian Detainees

Kyiv International Airport, which had been closed since the war began, was specially opened up to welcome ten Ukrainian detainees, some of whom flew in by helicopter while others arrived by bus. Among the released individuals were those captured before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Notably, the Vatican played a role in securing their freedom.

Notable Individuals Among The Freed

• Ivan Levytskyi and Bohdan Geleta: Two of the freed individuals were monks. Levytskyi was detained in 2022 inside his church in the occupied city of Berdiansk in the Zaporizhzhia region.
• Nariman Dzhelyal: The deputy head of the Mejlis, a representative body for the Tatars community living in Crimea. Dzhelyal was seized a year before the war and was released after being held captive.

Emotional Reunions at the Airport

In the main hall of the airport, former prisoners wrapped in blue and yellow flags reunited with their families and made emotional calls to those who couldn’t be present. Isabella Pekh’s daughter, Olena Pekh, an art historian, was freed after nearly six years of detention in the occupied Donetsk region.

Words of Gratitude and Hope

Olena Pekh expressed her gratitude for the support she received during her captivity, mentioning the love of her homeland, her loved ones, and her daughter. The priest Bohdan Geleta, detained in his church, also shared his experiences and emotions with a friend at the airport.

Continued Efforts for Release

According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 3,310 Ukrainians have been released from Russian captivity so far. However, there are still many thousands of Ukrainians, both civilians and military personnel, who remain imprisoned.