On June 19, we joined the march in support of Ukrainian women held in Russian captivity

On the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the team of the NGO “Association of the Relatives of Kremlin’s Political Prisoners” took part in a peaceful demonstration initiated by the NGO "Numo, Sestri!" (Let’s Go, Sisters).

From Independence Square to the Office of the President, we marched together with dozens of participants, holding portraits of Ukrainian women who are still unlawfully imprisoned in Russian detention facilities.

“At least 2,000 civilian women are currently held in Russian captivity. Each one of them is our sister, each one of them is our shared pain. We must make the world hear what is happening in Russian torture chambers,” said Lyudmyla Huseinova, head of Numo, Sestri!, during her address.

In his speech during the rally, Ihor Kotelianets, head of our organization, focused on the issue of unlawfully imprisoned women from Enerhodar and Crimea:

“We must speak not only about numbers but also about names. As of May 2025, at least nine civilian women from Enerhodar are known to be held in Russian captivity. They are accused of 'espionage,' 'creating a terrorist organization,' and 'treason' — charges with no legal foundation, used by Russia as part of its repressive campaign against pro-Ukrainian citizens. We have no moral right to remain silent. These women must be prioritized for release.”

Among the women mentioned:

• Nataliia Shulha, nuclear engineer at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant – 15 years imprisonment
• Tetiana Kliuchko, social worker – 12 years
• Svitlana Dolgopolova – 14 years

Currently under investigation:

• Larysa Malovychko, abducted on September 30, 2023, accused of “espionage”
• Olha Syrotenko, 58 years old – simultaneously accused of “subversive activity,” “espionage,” and “creating a terrorist organization.” The absurdity of the case lies in the fact that she had no connection to security forces, no political involvement, and no access to classified information. Her only “guilt” was remaining in the occupied territory and staying true to herself.

Also mentioned were the cases of Halyna Dovhopola and Iryna Levchenko.

Halyna Dovhopola, a resident of Sevastopol, was sentenced by an occupation court to 12 years of imprisonment for alleged “treason.” She is held in a penal colony in the Vladimir region of the Russian Federation and is in serious health condition. At 70 years old, Halyna may not survive to see her release. We must do everything possible to bring her home.

Iryna Levchenko, a journalist from Melitopol, was abducted in May 2023. Her whereabouts remain unknown. She was sentenced in absentia by the occupying authorities twice – in December 2022 and June 2023. Her case is a clear example of enforced disappearance. We demand that her whereabouts be established and that she be unconditionally released.

We are grateful to everyone who stood with us — who held a poster, gave a speech, listened, and continues to ensure this issue remains in the public spotlight.

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