“I want all mothers to return to their children”: ex-captive speaks out after 6 years in Russian prison

She spoke about this during a press briefing on political prisoners’ rights violations at the Office of the Crimean Platform, reported Espreso journalist Kateryna Halko.

“It’s really very hard there. I went from a basement to the Snizhne camp. There was no assistance, no hygiene. Sometimes drinking water was just one liter per day,” she recalled.

Holovan stressed that captivity is especially difficult for mothers who are unable to contact their children.

“I understand those women who cannot see or hear their child. For me, it was a very difficult trial — wondering how my children were feeling, whether they were fed, whether they were healthy. That’s why I so much want all mothers to return to their children. A lot of help is needed in this regard, because every child should be with their mother. I am now very happy to be with my daughters. A lot of time has passed, six years, but now we are together, and this is a great happiness,” she said.

What is known about Svitlana Holovan

According to Suspilne, Svitlana spent six years in Russian captivity. She had been living with her children in the temporarily occupied territory. In 2019, Russian forces captured her as a civilian and took her prisoner. For the first year and a half, nothing was known about her fate.

Later, Russia fabricated a case against her and sentenced her to 10 years in prison.

Svitlana was released during a prisoner exchange on August 14, 2025.

• Earlier, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) representative Andriy Yusov stated that delays in prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia occur due to the fault of the aggressor state.