The emotional scenes unfolded as Ukrainian women prisoners of war were released from captivity in Russia and returned home. After enduring harrowing conditions in detention, their release brought overwhelming relief and joy. The women, visibly moved, wept tears of happiness upon reuniting with their families and their homeland. This moment was a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the deep emotional impact of returning to safety after such severe trials.
The release of 49 prisoners of war, including 23 Ukrainian women, marked a deeply emotional moment as they were freed from Russian captivity. This exchange, part of the 56th PoW swap between Russia and Ukraine, saw a mix of soldiers, national guard members, police, border guards, and civilians, including those who defended Azovstal. The women, overwhelmed with emotion, burst into tears upon their release, reflecting the intense relief and joy of returning to their families and homeland after enduring severe hardship.
Lenie Umerova, 26, was among those released in the recent prisoner exchange. She had been detained in Russia on false espionage charges while caring for her cancer-ridden father in annexed Crimea. Umerova, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag, made an emotional phone call to her mother, marking a poignant moment of reunion and relief after her harrowing ordeal in Moscow’s Lefortovo jail, where she faced up to 20 years in prison.
Lenie Umerova expressed deep emotion upon her release, saying, “I’m so moved, I’m so happy.” She described her long wait and overwhelming joy at seeing the Ukrainian flag again. After being part of the prisoner swap—where 49 PoWs from each side were exchanged, including 23 Ukrainian women—Umerova and the other returning prisoners sang a patriotic song upon their arrival back in Ukraine.
Initially detained while traveling from Georgia to Russia to care for her cancer-stricken father, Umerova was later accused of “high treason” and disappeared into Russia’s prison system. Her parents were unable to locate her during her captivity. An ethnic Crimean Tatar, Umerova had moved to Kyiv following Crimea’s annexation by Russia in 2014. She was eventually freed after being deemed no threat to Russian national security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the release of Lenie Umerova, noting her courageous return home after being taken hostage by Russia while caring for her ailing father. He expressed gratitude to the team involved in securing the release of prisoners and hostages from Russian captivity.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, a total of 3,569 Ukrainians have been returned home, highlighting the ongoing efforts to reunite families and free detainees amid the conflict.
The poignant video captures the raw emotion of a Ukrainian woman reunited with her family via phone call after being released from captivity. Overwhelmed with joy and relief, she repeatedly reassures her children and mother of her safe return, expressing love and longing to be with them.
Amid the distress of separation, the woman’s heartfelt words, “Mum, I’m already in Ukraine…,” and her desperate pleas to speak with her children reflect the profound personal toll of the ongoing conflict. As she sees her son and daughter on the screen, her emotional declarations of love and promises to reunite soon underscore the human cost of the war and the cruelty of forcing families apart. The shouts of “Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes!” echo the collective sentiment of hope and resilience amidst the trials of captivity and conflict.
The successful swap, facilitated with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates, marked a significant and emotional moment for the released Ukrainian women. Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR) highlighted the importance of this exchange, noting it was the first time in a long while that Ukrainian women were freed from captivity.
Among those released were 23 women, including civilians detained before the full-scale invasion and those subjected to severe mistreatment. Some were forced to participate in sham trials against Mariupol defenders.
One of the freed women shared her emotional journey, recalling how she had dreamt of returning home and prayed for her release. Her harrowing experience, including being led out with a bag over her head, contrasted sharply with the joy of finally being free and reunited with her loved ones.
