Story perspectives

Ukrainian medic released after 2½ years Russian captivity

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Liliia Prutian, a 55-year-old medic, was released after two and a half years of Russian captivity during the February 2022 invasion.
She entered a Kyiv rehabilitation center for medical care, ear-drum surgery and therapy while fearing her 20-year-old son Dima would be conscripted, prompting a rescue plan.
Just before 7 p.m. on a Sunday she called Dima, their first contact in three years, underscoring that 20 percent of Ukraine remains under Russian control.

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Story summary

Liliia Prutian, a 55-year-old medic, was released after two and a half years of Russian captivity during the February 2022 invasion.
She entered a Kyiv rehabilitation center for medical care, ear-drum surgery and therapy while fearing her 20-year-old son Dima would be conscripted, prompting a rescue plan.
Just before 7 p.m. on a Sunday she called Dima, their first contact in three years, underscoring that 20 percent of Ukraine remains under Russian control.