Return from captivity: Olena Sek spoke about what awaits the defenders after the exchange

After each exchange of prisoners, photos appear on the news feeds: men in military uniforms, whose eyes combine fatigue, tears, hugs and moving words. Officials and relatives welcome them with festivities and flowers. However, what happens afterwards, outside the lens, is another, complex reality. Those who return from captivity find themselves in a state of transition: between recovery, social contacts, and the search for a way to regain their own subjectivity. This stage is no less difficult, and it is he who needs delicate, professional support.

Wounded and seriously wounded, as well as Ukrainian military personnel under the age of 25, are now returning from captivity. Some of them have numerous physical injuries, others have deep psychological injuries. Photos and videos are circulating in the mass media, which leave no doubt: the Russian side systematically uses torture, humiliation, and abuse. Photos with scars, mutilated bodies, inscriptions burned into the skin, such as “Glory of Russia”, are not incidents, but evidence of a mass phenomenon. And all this is a reality with which the freedmen have to live. And it is at this moment that it is extremely important not to make a systemic mistake: to give a person not only freedom, but also the right way to return to himself. About the algorithm of actions after release, the difficulties of the first contact with the family, the risks of emotional oversaturation and the importance of the correct phase of reintegration told military psychologist Olena Sek.

Olena Sek noted that after returning from captivity, a clear algorithm of reintegration measures is launched for Ukrainian servicemen, which is regulated by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 296 of March 15, 2024. This algorithm assumes that first of all a medical examination and, if necessary, treatment is carried out. Psychologists and psychiatrists who provide individual consultations work with those released from captivity. Documents are being restored in parallel.

She emphasized that while the reintegration measures are ongoing, specialists from various structures are also working with those released from captivity. They collect information about those who are still in captivity, as well as testimonies about crimes committed against Ukrainian citizens while in captivity. This includes testimony about events witnessed by the dismissed themselves.

Sek believes that Ukraine’s experience in this area is unique. In the process of working with those released from captivity, specialists develop algorithms and protocols that correspond to Ukrainian realities. Specialists from various institutions, in particular from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, studied all available experience in dealing with prisoners released from captivity. But this experience usually refers to isolated cases of dismissal, and if there were mass dismissals, they were limited to a few dozen people. There is no experience of working with hundreds or thousands of dismissed workers. A similar mass was observed only during the Second World War, but then no one kept records or reintegration. Currently, Ukraine is gaining a unique experience, and it should create its own protocols and algorithms for dealing with persons who have survived forced isolation.

The psychologist emphasized that the procedure for meeting and treating prisoners released from captivity is also clearly prescribed. The family, of course, wants to meet their relative first, but from the point of view of the post-isolation process, this is not the best option. First, it is a huge emotional burden for both the family and the dismissed person. The release itself is already a powerful emotional surge, and the meeting with the family intensifies this surge. Against the background of euphoria, certain expectations arise that may turn out to be illusory, and the level of emotions sometimes goes so far that it complicates the process of post-isolation recovery. She noted that, unfortunately, there were cases when meetings organized without taking these factors into account seriously traumatized both parties.

Secondly, in captivity, people were in a state of emotional vacuum and complete informational isolation. When a large amount of information suddenly falls on them, it can cause serious damage. Sek emphasized that it is not necessary to burden a person with difficult, complex or tragic information immediately after release. It is important to help a person recover and gradually return him to an emotionally resourceful state.

Another risk that Sec talks about is the so-called “captivity of love.” The family is waiting, trying to see the person as soon as possible. But if the freedman returns home without fully regaining his subjectivity and control over his own life, there is a great risk that it will be extremely difficult to get them back. Usually, the family surrounds a person with care and love, which, unfortunately, can become toxic. This means that a person is again deprived of the right to choose. Therefore, as Sec emphasizes, it is better that the restoration of subjectivity takes place under the supervision of specialists, in a safe environment that promotes reintegration.

Sec also emphasizes the importance of dietary restrictions. In captivity, people were often on starvation rations, and the diet, if any, was unbalanced. A sharp food load after release can have a negative effect on the body. She believes that it is correct that the first contact with the family should be limited in time – 2-3 minutes through video or audio communication: they see each other, exchange short words – and then everyone prepares for a full-fledged meeting. She calls this period “quarantine”, and its duration is from a week to two. It depends on the physical and psychological condition of the released person. The full reintegration cycle lasts 21 days, or longer if necessary. During this time, the family also prepares for the meeting, and the released person gathers strength, recovers, puts himself in order and enters a new phase of life.

With regard to the previous exchange, during which Ukraine did not form lists, but took those who were given, Sec noted that she did not participate in the exchange process. At the same time, she supports the position of specialists who deal with this issue: Ukraine should take all its citizens. If a person agreed to return, it means that he sees his future in Ukraine – even if it is a future that involves criminal liability for actions committed while in captivity.

Sec emphasizes that Ukrainian criminal law provides for such responsibility. If the suspicions are proven, the person will be punished. She knows that such cases exist. But for her, this is evidence that Ukraine identifies its citizens, even if they were collaborators. If a person agrees to return, then Ukraine must work with him. Yes, in such cases completely different procedures are foreseen, but she does not have the authority to speak about them.

Olena Sek believes that military personnel should be trained not for captivity itself, but for its avoidance and survival in the event of forced isolation. She notes that these are specific conditions that require appropriate training. In the armies of NATO countries, there is a special SERE (survival, evasion, resistance and escape) training course. This is a comprehensive course that includes a set of knowledge on how to avoid capture, how to survive in conditions of isolation, how to resist in case of psychological or physical pressure, how to escape. The psychologist explains that this course has now been expanded, and it also covers the stages of waiting for an exchange and behavior during an assault.

She emphasizes that, according to the experience of NATO member countries, such training applies only to certain categories of servicemen, in particular the Air Force or Special Forces. At the same time, the Ukrainian experience has shown that such knowledge is necessary for absolutely all military personnel. Therefore, in the general military basic training, there is now an item that includes theoretical knowledge about the stages of isolation and captivity. This makes it possible to remove certain illusions and help make rational decisions under stress, minimizing the emotional component.

She points out that the Russians also have training on this topic, but it is of a different nature – the traditional setting since the Second World War is that it is better to be shot than to be captured. Sek notes that the video shows how Russian soldiers, unable to withstand difficult circumstances, decide to take their own lives. This is their choice, and if they consider it appropriate, let them do so. At the same time, she is convinced: human life is priceless, and Ukraine must give its people the knowledge that will allow them to minimize the risks of captivity, and in case of isolation, to do everything to survive, to preserve their physical and mental health, dignity as much as possible, to return home, live on and build the country.

Sek believes that families of servicemen should also be prepared for such a possibility. Capture is an occupational hazard of anyone serving in the Armed Forces. And to turn a blind eye to it, to pretend that this cannot happen is wrong and irrational. When you work with the military, you always ask them to discuss three mandatory scenarios with their families: death, injury and disappearance due to possible captivity. These topics should be discussed and rationalized in order to minimize risks.

According to Sec, the option of disappearance due to the possibility of capture needs special attention. The family should be aware that this can happen, but it is not the end. For the family, it should be a job with a resource, with support, to wait, to keep in touch even at a distance. She recalls real cases when the wives of prisoners intuitively carried out actions that were deeply connected with the dreams of their husbands: they called their children names that they dreamed of in captivity, fulfilled some wishes that they did not even hear, but felt. According to her, this shows that there is a common field between relatives, which is felt as strength and support. It is on this that one must rely.

The psychologist notes with regret that very often the families of missing persons or prisoners become objects of pressure, blackmail, and manipulation by fraudsters and hostile specialists in information and psychological operations. Families often resort to such manipulations, spending considerable money, psychological and personal resources. She states that there are cases when relatives perform intelligence tasks and consciously or unconsciously become agents of the enemy.

During the training of military personnel, Sec emphasizes, more specific advice is provided. But for a wide audience, she advises: there should be a clearly defined algorithm – what to do as a family, how not to become a victim of fraud, how to stay in the common field, be a support without falling into the enemy’s trap.

Sec emphasizes that the wait, once it is confirmed that a person is in captivity, is an extremely difficult period. According to her, captivity is not equal to death, but it does not guarantee life either. At the same time, there is no complete information, and the family feels completely helpless. She cites from her experience about 40 cases when those who had the status of missing persons returned from captivity. In addition, she worked with those who returned with the status of the dead. In such cases, it is very important for the family to be able to maintain a balance: on the one hand, to believe, to have resources to support, to wait for the person; on the other hand, do not exclude the most tragic ending. This is a difficult psychological condition, so it is extremely important that the family has support at this moment: loved ones, friends, colleagues.

Olena Sek spoke respectfully about the work of the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which organized support groups for families of missing persons and prisoners. She also praises the work of the “Free Step” project, which united public organizations that provide psychological support to such families. This is a powerful work of the relatives themselves, who unite around units, support each other, share experience, knowledge, skills – and this is extremely important.

Commenting on the public statements of Redis, Stanislav Aseev and others, who expressed indignation over the fact that during the previous exchange neither Azov citizens nor civilians who have been in captivity for 8-10 years were released, Olena Sek notes that such statements are emotional. This is like a person who has experience working with the media and has a certain competence in the field of information and psychological operations (IPSO). It is the organization of such exchanges that often becomes a reason for manipulations and psychological influences aimed at splitting Ukrainian society or at marginalizing certain communities, at setting some groups against others. Because, as Sec says, one’s own trouble is always “badisha”.

She asks a rhetorical question: to what extent is each person ready to make another person even more painful or worse for the sake of liberating one person? This is an extremely difficult question, and it is precisely on this that the opponent plays, plays quite successfully, if such statements appear in the public space. The psychologist notes that she does not have the competence to comment on the effectiveness or success of the mechanisms of the negotiation process, but she is well aware of how sensitive topics related to the return of prisoners and work with them are. One must be very careful in these matters, in particular, in judging those who have returned. It is in this area that Ukraine demonstrates true democracy and respect for its citizens: we take everyone away, and we will sort it out on the spot – who behaved decently and who did not. Sek reminds that the army even has a medal “For dignity in captivity”. This means that there are certain criteria, but each case must be considered individually, with in-depth work to gather and analyze evidence.

She reported that the next stage of the dismissals promised by the enemy has now begun, and expressed hope that it will be successful. At the same time, the Ukrainian side sees how the Russians constantly resort to manipulation. For example, they make statements that they brought bodies, but no one met them. This is a cynical but typical tactic. The Russians often do the same with prisoners: they promise that an exchange will take place, take them to an unknown destination, keep them there for a long time, and then say: “You see, no one came for you. Nobody needs you.” According to Sek, this is a very powerful trauma for a person, an emotional plunge into a deep pit and a very strong manipulation. Many people in the future will have the experience of war, being in occupation, isolation, and captivity. Not only military personnel are captured. These are also civilians who, during the invasion, found themselves in the occupation, for example, in the Chernihiv or Kherson regions, and were taken to the so-called “basements” during the purges. That is, a large number of people will have the experience of being in conditions of forced isolation – with varying degrees of intensity.

The psychologist noted that there are cases when people, having survived captivity, realized their experience, and were able to integrate it into their own lives. In particular, Professor of Donetsk University Ihor Kozlovsky, who, unfortunately, has already died. His concept of “debtor of love” has a deep human-centric meaning. She also mentioned many soldiers of the Defense Forces of Ukraine who, after returning from captivity, continue their service and have become models of military honor, dignity, and zeal. Existential experience always gives a very strong impetus to the search for the meaning of life, to the search for the meaning of the events that happened. These are the questions that help a person to build or revise the system of his own moral and spiritual values. They are pain, suffering, but at the same time confirmation of strength of spirit.