How One Woman Braved Russian Pressure to Save Her Family Without Betraying Her Homeland

Svitlana's husband was captured by the Russians

Under pressure from Russian agents, Svitlana’s loyalty to Ukraine was tested while her husband endured captivity.

In the heart of Kyiv, a story of bravery unfolds as Svitlana, a 42-year-old woman, faces an unimaginable ordeal. Her husband, Dima, an army medic captured by Russian forces, has been a prisoner of war for over two years. Amid the heartache, Svitlana receives a chilling phone call that tests her loyalty to Ukraine and her love for her husband.

The call came unexpectedly. On the other end of the line, a man with a Russian accent who introduced himself as Dmitry offered a grim deal. If Svitlana agreed to commit acts of sabotage against Ukraine—burning enlistment offices, setting fire to vehicles, or revealing critical military locations—Dima might receive better treatment or even an early release.

Svitlana recounts her immediate reaction: "Not for a second did I consider betraying my country. My husband would never have forgiven me."

Aware of the guidelines issued by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Svitlana documented her interactions with Dmitry. She recorded calls, captured screenshots, and promptly reported the situation. The SBU instructed her to stall while they conducted their investigation. Svitlana feigned compliance, even pretending to plan an arson attack on a railway line.

Sitting in her home, with air raid sirens wailing outside, Svitlana played recordings of Dmitry’s detailed instructions. From assembling Molotov cocktails to avoiding detection, the calls revealed the calculated strategies employed to exploit vulnerable families.

When Svitlana finally broke contact with Dmitry, the threats began. He claimed Dima was being tortured and accused her of causing his suffering. The mental toll was immense.

"One part of me thought he was bluffing. The other wondered—what if he wasn’t? How could I live with myself?" she said, her voice trembling.

Ukraine's SBU emphasizes that cooperating with Russian agents exacerbates the plight of prisoners rather than alleviating it. Families who report such contact are treated as victims, but those who comply risk being charged with treason—punishable by life imprisonment.

Petro Yatsenko, from the military’s Prisoner of War Headquarters, estimates that half of all POW families face similar coercion. He stresses education as a defense: "Sabotage doesn’t help; it destabilizes our society."

Despite the harrowing experience, Svitlana’s courage bore fruit. Her husband, Dima, was released over three months ago. Today, they are reunited, cherishing time with their young son, Vova.

Recalling the moment of Dima’s freedom, Svitlana beams: "There were tears of joy like I’ve never cried before. It felt like snatching my love from the jaws of death."

Dima, shocked upon hearing her story, marveled at her resilience. "As I always say," Svitlana concludes with a wink, "I’m an officer’s wife."

The Ukrainian authorities continue to urge families to report any contact with enemy agents. By standing firm, citizens like Svitlana demonstrate the indomitable spirit of Ukraine.