On the eve of Easter, 277 Ukrainian prisoners of war were released from Russian captivity. Religious leaders from around the world were involved in this cause. This was reported by religious scholar, director of the International Institute of Athonite Legacy and representative of the Institute for Religious Freedom Dr Serhii Shumylo, who took part in negotiations with religious figures on this issue. ‘A great joy indeed for Easter! The incredible efforts and long work of different people have finally yielded their result. I know from my own experience how much effort was spent by different people, including religious figures, to make this moment come. I am very grateful to all of them. And I am very glad that at a certain stage I also had to join this difficult and important work,’ - wrote Dr Serhii Shumylo.

The Ukrainian religious scholar has lifted a bit of the veil of mystery regarding the role of religious organisations in initiating the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war on the occasion of the Easter celebration. Last year on the eve of the Easter of Christ, on the initiative of the Ukrainian authorities, negotiations were initiated with various religious leaders so that on the occasion of the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, through their channels, they would address the Russian authorities with the initiative of the Easter cessation of hostilities and the exchange of prisoners of war according to the formula ‘all for all’.

‘At that time, together we were able to agree that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew should make such an appeal on Easter. At my request, even the head of the ROCOR, Metropolitan Agafangel (Pashkovsky), made such an appeal. Some abbots of Athonite monasteries supported our initiative. Although, unfortunately, some pro-Russian monks stalled then a joint appeal on behalf of all the monasteries of Mount Athos. Many meetings and negotiations were held. Other colleagues were able to arrange for Pope of Rome Francis to make such an appeal on the occasion of the Easter. There were appeals from other religious leaders as well, though unfortunately not all of them. Naturally, the ROC MP refused to support these initiatives. Unfortunately, even in Ukraine there were those who began to hinder such initiatives. There were even those who began to see our actions as ‘working for the enemy’. Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties and obstacles, the work did not stop’, - said Dr Serhii Shumylo.

According to the religious scholar, unfortunately, then the Kremlin regime ignored all these numerous calls for the release and exchange of prisoners of war, continuing to keep Ukrainian prisoners in inhumane conditions, subjecting them to cruel abuse, torture and execution on a daily basis. ‘However, the work did not stop in all possible directions. Huge efforts were and are being made by the Office of the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine and others. For this we thank them very much’.

Among other things, it was an important step that the Conference of European Churches (CEC), an authoritative international organisation uniting 115 Christian Churches in Europe, also supported this initiative last year, officially calling on the Russian authorities to release the Ukrainian prisoners of war and exchange them according to the ‘all for all’ formula. Despite the fact that such initiatives were ignored and disrupted in every possible way in the Russian Federation, the work done was not in vain. At various stages, many different people have been involved, from simple volunteers to political and religious leaders. The latest negotiations between the Ukrainian authorities and diplomats were particularly successful with the mediation of the United Arab Emirates.

Finally, on 19 April 2025, on the eve of Easter, we were able to wait for this important news about the release of another 277 Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity. In general, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this year alone, 596 Ukrainians have managed to return home from Russian captivity as part of the exchanges, and since March 2022, 4,552 Ukrainian citizens have been released.

‘By incredible efforts managed to snatch our heroes from the claws of Russian executioners, to save them from inhuman treatment, torture, death... It is a great happiness for the families - mothers, wives, children, who finally, after the grief they have endured, will be able to celebrate Easter with their sons, husbands and fathers... I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for these titanic efforts and the results achieved. In particular, I am grateful to those who involved me in this work a year ago. Trying to help save and free our Heroes who are dying from torture and inhuman treatment, who are suffering and tormented in hostile captivity is a sacred cause. When else but on Easter it should be done’, - said Dr Serhii Shumylo. (Quelle: www.risu.ua, 24. April 2025)