Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, chaired a meeting with the families of civilian Ukrainians illegally held captive by Russia.
Participants included representatives from the government, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Center for Coordination of Search and Release of Individuals Unlawfully Deprived of Liberty due to Russian Armed Aggression under the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the National Information Bureau, MPs, and members of relevant human rights organizations.
Representatives from the Coordination Headquarters explained the processes behind locating and securing the release of civilians from Russian captivity and provided updates on efforts in this area.
The discussion also covered financial assistance for individuals released from captivity, support for the families of captives, the need for legislative changes regarding mobilization deferment for civilians released from captivity, and the activities of the Commission for Establishing the Fact of Deprivation of Personal Liberty as a Result of Russia's Armed Aggression against Ukraine.
“The return of civilian captives is one of our top priorities. There must also be a constant dialogue between the government, the families of those detained, and relevant non-governmental organizations,” emphasized Iryna Vereshchuk.