As US President Donald Trump prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, families and supporters of Ukrainian defenders held a rally on Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. at the US Embassy in Kyiv.

Many in the crowd had spent years in public squares raising awareness that their sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands remain in captivity. Their presence was especially poignant as they learned through news reports and video clips about Trump’s comments on swapping land to bring peace. The families came with a clear message: they want Trump to demand the return of their defenders and the children kidnapped from Ukraine.

Rather than remaining silent, these families peacefully gathered at the embassy to voice the concerns overlooked in the rhetoric of deal-making and real estate negotiations. With a small announcement system, families gathered with their flags, sharing with defenders and speakers their thoughts on the meeting between leaders about to take place in Alaska. Local authorities largely kept journalists and photographers out of the street while families spoke directly about their demands and concerns.

The rally followed the recent return of 84 Ukrainian defenders who had been in captivity for over three years, including one young man - Bohdan Kovalchuk – a prisoner in Russia for nine years.

While many captured Ukrainians have returned since talks in Turkey months ago, the current Trump-Putin discussions present an entirely different challenge for these families who are still waiting for their defenders to be returned. They are incensed by what they see as callous indifference shown to the lives lost to invading Russian forces, as well as by the apparent disregard from the US administration for Ukraine in seemingly showing more verbal concern for Russian invaders killed on Ukrainian soil.

At the rally, Natalia Yepifanova , head of the NGO Voyatsky Vyvzvol, and a lawyer, spoke passionately about Ukrainian prisoners and hostages held by Russia:

“Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians face extreme conditions. They often lack sufficient food and medical care, and they have no communication with their families. Many have been declared ‘missing’ or labeled as terrorists, and some have been illegally sentenced. No reliable information is provided about them.”

She emphasized the responsibility of the international community and the role of the US:

“We, the families of captured Ukrainians and those who gave their lives defending Ukraine, call on the president of the United States to change the rhetoric and put the return of all prisoners at the top of the agenda. Instead of focusing on land, the focus must be on people – through an ‘all for all’ exchange. This is what real action and respect for human life look like.”

Yepifanova outlined the legal and diplomatic measures needed:

“The United States, as a leader of the democratic world, has the leverage to enforce international law. It must increase pressure on the Russian Federation to allow international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, access to all detention sites where Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians are held. The unconditional release of all Ukrainian captives – including those about whom Russia provides no information – must be demanded immediately. True respect for international law and human life requires decisive action to bring our people home.”

Through her words, the rally highlighted both the human cost of the conflict and the urgent call for international intervention to secure the freedom of Ukrainian prisoners.

The words of defenders

Illia Illshenko, callsign “Smurf,” a defender of Azovstal and former prisoner of war, shared his experience of his time in Russian captivity: “I was in captivity for almost a year and, upon return, I actively engaged in helping my brothers-in-arms who are still there [though] an informational struggle and any other diplomatic efforts.”

Since his release in 2013, Illshenko has dedicated himself to supporting fellow defenders who remain in Russian captivity, emphasizing that his ultimate dream is for Ukraine’s victory to arrive as soon as possible.

Illshenko stressed the urgency of Western understanding and support, warning that the stakes go beyond Ukraine alone. “Most countries must understand how serious this conflict is and that if Ukraine falls, then they will be next,” he said. He responded firmly to critics in the West who question Ukraine’s conduct of the war: “We behave, I am sure, much more loyally than the Russians. This concerns the front, as well as prisoners, as well as how cities are shelled. If our strikes are delivered on strategic targets of the Russian Federation, then with us it is the civilian population that suffers from this.”

For Illshenko, the highest priority must be the exchange of prisoners rather than territorial concessions. “In this whole situation, the priority should not be the exchange of territories, but the exchange of prisoners. And if that happens, only then can one talk about something else,” he explained. He warned that trading territory first would make securing prisoner releases much harder, as Russia would exploit false convictions to keep more Ukrainians from returning home:

“Putin will show even more illegal convictions, so that as few people as possible return to the territory of Ukraine. Why? In order to show the world that here he is, such a good guy, that he is doing the right thing,” he said.

Illshenko concluded with a clear vision for next steps. “Before any freezing of the conflict… there must be the return of all our citizens. This is simply a pause for the future, when [Putin] can strengthen himself even more.” His perspective blends personal experience, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to Ukraine and its defenders.

Moms speak up

Natalia Kravtsova, the mother of a Mariupol defender in captivity, and one of the organizers of the action, said: “Mr. Trump, we, the families of prisoners of war and the missing defenders of Ukraine, are addressing you with a proposal to change the rhetoric and the agenda of your meeting with Russian President Putin. Instead of exchanging territories, we propose an exchange of prisoners in an all-for-all format, including civilian and military personnel, those whom Russia hides in its prisons, both confirmed and unconfirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross, those whom Russia convicted on fabricated charges, and those whom Russia recognized as terrorists.”

She added: “Our loved ones fought for the right to live on their land. They defended their Ukraine and must return home. You, as the leader of the world, the largest world country, can make this happen. Thank you.”

After the main presented voices, families were invited to speak about their thoughts. One mother, Svitlana, spoke of her son Yaroslav:

“My son defended Azovstal… held his position with his brothers-in-arms until the end, until they were surrendered into captivity by order. He was taken into captivity, and to this day he remains in captivity… We are against the exchange of any territories. We are for the return of all our children, men home.

“We ask Donald Trump… to do the right, the right choice, to return our children, our sons, men, everyone who is now in captivity, so that there will be a great exchange of all for all.”

And let our Ukraine and our Lord be glorified. Amen.

Anya, the mother of a defender, spoke exclusively to us about her son’s long captivity in Russia, which began when he left Azovstal on May 18, 2022. She described the harsh conditions he endured, saying he “left wounded” and that she does not know his current health.

“I think it is not good, because there is almost no treatment there,” she said. “He has lost a lot of weight. I have seen photos.”

Regarding the ongoing prisoner exchanges, Anya highlighted the challenges, particularly for Azov members, noting that “exchanges are now very difficult… a category like Azov members… is very difficult to exchange.”

Anya stressed the importance of finally seeing her son and other loved ones returned home. She believes international support could help, especially from the US, stating, “I think that the United States can contribute, including to the exchanges.”

Meanwhile, Natasha, shared her story about her older brother, Andriy:

“I am waiting for my dear older brother. He went missing at the end of February 2025. This was his first combat mission, from which he did not return. I managed to independently understand the circumstances of his disappearance, but at great regret, even at the highest levels, they could not confirm for me his surname in captivity

“And since almost five months have passed, we are preparing for the worst, but still we have a drop of hope.

“We have a large family. He was the oldest and now I am the oldest… In our very close-knit family, we are all now united around the search for my brother.”