Held Separately in Russian Captivity, Mother and Son Finally Reunite in POW Exchange

Among the 277 Ukrainian defenders freed from Russian captivity were a mother and son, Margaryta and Ruslan Vynohradov. Separated for three years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, they were reunited in the bus taking them home from captivity.

This was reported by TSN on April 19, citing correspondent Nataliia Nahorna, who spoke with the freed prisoners of war (POWs).

Margaryta was captured by Russian forces in Mariupol. Her young daughter, husband, sister, and mother had all been waiting for her return. But the first to see her again was her son Ruslan, a soldier from Ukraine’s 53rd Brigade, who had also been held in captivity.

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“I had so many dreams where I’d be walking free and hugging my children,” Margaryta said. “And then you wake up at 6 a.m. to the same cell, and you realize it was just a dream, that’s the hardest part. But today, I saw him [Ruslan], and I said: if this is a dream, don’t wake me.”

Their home in Mariupol remains under Russian occupation, but Margaryta and Ruslan say they already feel like they’ve returned because they are free and back on Ukrainian soil.

Ruslan was the first to recognize his mother on the bus carrying the released prisoners. Margaryta admitted she still struggles to believe it’s real.

On April 19, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange, resulting in the return of 277 Ukrainian defenders. The exchange was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, according to official statements from both sides.