'Your husband's being tortured, and it's your fault'

In the heart of Ukraine, a woman named Svitlana has been living a nightmare. For over two years, she has been anxiously waiting for news about her husband, Dima, who serves as a medic in the army. Dima was captured by Russian forces, and Svitlana has always been resolute in her loyalty to her country. She firmly stated, 'I never considered betraying my country, not for a second. My husband would've never forgiven me. ' One day, she received a phone call that would change everything. The voice on the other end introduced himself as Dmitry, speaking with a Russian accent. He made a shocking proposal: if Svitlana committed treason against Ukraine, Dima could receive better treatment in prison or even be released early. Following the guidance of the Ukrainian Security Service, Svitlana recorded all her interactions with Dmitry. She was instructed to buy time, document everything, and report back. Dmitry's demands were alarming; he suggested she could either set fire to a military enlistment office, sabotage a military vehicle, or even reveal the locations of crucial air defense units. Svitlana felt a mix of fear and determination. She recalled the advice given to families in her situation and knew she had to act wisely. As she sat in her living room, with the sound of air raid sirens echoing outside, Svitlana played recordings of her conversations with Dmitry. He provided detailed instructions on how to create a Molotov cocktail, emphasizing the need to avoid security cameras and to take precautions to hide her identity. Svitlana listened intently, knowing that every word could have serious consequences. Dmitry even demanded proof of her compliance, asking her to take photos with a piece of paper showing the date. In return, he promised to arrange a phone call with Dima or send him a parcel. After some time, the Ukrainian Security Service informed Svitlana that Dmitry was indeed in Russia and advised her to cut off contact. When she told Dmitry she had changed her mind, the threats escalated. He warned her that her husband was being tortured and that it was her fault. Svitlana's heart sank as she grappled with the fear of what could happen to Dima. She prayed fervently, hoping that her husband would remain safe. The SBU made it clear that cooperating with Russian agents would not help prisoners but could complicate their chances of being exchanged. They urged families to report any contact with Russian agents immediately. The situation is dire for many families of prisoners of war. Petro Yatsenko, who works with the Ukrainian military, revealed that around 50% of these families are approached by Russian agents. He explained that these families are often in vulnerable positions and may feel desperate to do anything to help their loved ones. However, he emphasized that acts of sabotage or espionage could lead to severe consequences, including life imprisonment. The authorities regularly publicize arrests of individuals who have cooperated with Russian agents, highlighting the risks involved. Fortunately, Svitlana's story has a happy ending. Dima was released from captivity just a few months ago. When he returned home, Svitlana felt an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. She described the moment as if she had 'snatched my love from the jaws of death. ' The couple is now happily reunited, enjoying precious moments with their four-year-old son, Vova. Svitlana expressed her emotions, saying, 'There were tears of joy like I've never cried before. ' Dima reassured her that the Russians did not act on their threats, and when he learned about the calls, he was shocked. Svitlana smiled and replied, 'Well, as I always say, I'm an officer's wife.