KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Kateryna Dmytryk had been anticipating this moment for the majority of her young son’s life.
Running side by side, 2-year-old Timur led the way, the snow crunching beneath their feet. Approaching them from the military hospital was a slender, pale man. Artem Dmytryk had been separated from his family for approximately 24 months, the majority of which he spent in [unspecified location].
Upon reuniting, he lifted his son, and Kateryna reached out to touch her husband, holding his hand tightly, needing the reassurance that this was indeed reality. The three of them embraced, kissed, and laughed.
After a prisoner exchange, Artem Dmytryk was finally reunited with his family in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Vasilisa Stepanenko)
The onset of conflict by Russia in Ukraine altered the lives of countless Ukrainians irreversibly. Like the Dmytryks, they now divide their lives into two distinct periods: before and after [conflict]. Many have mourned the loss of loved ones, millions have been displaced from their homes, and the entire nation has been plunged into a prolonged and draining war, with 26% of the territory now under Russian control.
Even if peace eventually prevails, the impact of the conflict will linger for generations.
For Kateryna, the liberation of her husband brought a glimmer of hope back into their family’s life. However, she acknowledges that the experiences of the past two years will leave lasting scars.
“We’ve had two years of our lives stolen,” she lamented. “And those two years felt like an endless nightmare.”
“A Return to Normalcy”
The Dmytryks were just embarking on their journey as a family of three when the conflict erupted.
Kateryna and Artem had met in their hometown of Berdiansk in southeastern Ukraine at a young age. They started dating at 16 and 18, respectively, and later got married when Artem, who had joined the army, was serving in the State Border Guard Service in Berdiansk.
Their peaceful and ordinary family life took a drastic turn on Valentine’s Day 2022 when Artem was called to combat alert. With tensions rising due to Russia’s military buildup, Kateryna didn’t anticipate the magnitude of the impending crisis.
Kateryna Dmytryk, with her 2-year-old son, Timur, participated in a protest for prisoners of war in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 14, 2024, while her husband was in Russian captivity. (AP Photo/Vasilisa Stepanenko)
Artem’s last visit home was on Feb. 23, 2022. Sensing the looming danger, he insisted that Kateryna’s friend stay with her, not wanting her to be alone. Little did they know the war that was about to unfold.
In the early hours of Feb. 24, as explosions rocked the city, Kateryna, like many Ukrainians, was jolted awake. Following Artem’s instructions, she fled to her parents’ village with Timur, as Artem, already on duty at sea, warned her of potential hostilities in Berdiansk.
Artem was given orders to head [unspecified location].
“A Promise of Return”
As Russian forces occupied Berdiansk and its surroundings, communication became sporadic. Through fragmented conversations, Artem reassured Kateryna that Ukraine would prevail.
In moments of despair, he made a solemn promise. “I will return, I will definitely return,” he affirmed.
Kateryna, consumed by anxiety, found solace in Timur, who resembled his father more with each passing day. She clung to the hope of Artem’s safe return, assuring Timur that his father would come back one day.
Kateryna Dmytryk, along with her son, Timur, took part in a protest for prisoners of war in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 14, 2024, while her husband was in Russian captivity. (AP Photo/Vasilisa Stepanenko)
As the situation grew more dire, Artem grew increasingly concerned about his survival, prompting a heartbreaking farewell call to Kateryna.
“He said that if he didn’t make it, he would become a guardian angel for our son,” Kateryna recalled.
Courage to Depart
Remaining in her occupied parents’ village to care for her terminally ill mother, Kateryna hesitated to leave despite Artem’s urging to seek refuge in Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Her mother’s battle with stage 4 cancer weighed heavily on her decision. Only after her mother’s passing on April 14, 2022, did Kateryna summon the courage to flee, embarking on a perilous journey with Timur to Zaporizhzhia.
With no safe passage available, they navigated through Russian checkpoints, posing as the daughter-in-law of a couple accompanying her to reach her son in Ukrainian territory. Despite the risks associated with her status as a soldier’s wife, Kateryna remained resolute, drawing strength from the challenges her husband faced.
Upon reaching Zaporizhzhia, she sought refuge with her sister-in-law in Kyiv, marking the beginning of a grueling 21-month wait for Artem’s release from captivity.
“A Longing Wait”
Artem was among the thousands of soldiers captured when Mariupol fell after 86 days of relentless battle.
Kateryna lost all sense of time, consumed by worry and uncertainty. Her only anchor in the darkness was Timur, who grew into a resilient child, embodying his father’s spirit.
She would show Timur Artem’s photo on her phone, assuring him that his father would soon return.
“Hello, Daddy?” Timur would innocently speak into the phone.
Kateryna Dmytryk, along with her son, Timur, participated in a protest for prisoners of war in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan. 14, 2024, while her husband was in Russian captivity. (AP Photo/Vasilisa Stepanenko)
At times, Timur would mistake his uncle for his father, prompting Kateryna to gently correct him, pointing to the photo on her phone and reassuring him of Artem’s imminent return.
As the months passed, Kateryna remained largely uninformed about Artem’s condition. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed his capture after surrendering at Azovstal. Nearly nine months elapsed before she received any updates from Artem’s comrades, who disclosed his whereabouts in the occupied Luhansk region. Despite the limited information, Kateryna held onto the messages of love and hope relayed through his comrades.
In moments of despair, she would calculate the distance between them on Google Maps, seeking a semblance of connection. She meticulously prepared a bag for his hospital stay after the exchange, stocking it with familiar items and clothing, symbolizing her unwavering love and anticipation of his return.
The Reunion
On Feb. 8, Kateryna received a message from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs, informing her of Artem’s inclusion in a prisoner swap. Overwhelmed with disbelief, she awaited his arrival.
Hours later, Artem called to confirm his return to Ukraine. The following morning, she delivered the carefully prepared bag to the military hospital where he was undergoing rehabilitation.
Their conversations seldom touched upon the ordeal of his captivity. Instead, they focused on reconnecting and rebuilding their relationship.
“We’re rediscovering each other, falling in love all over again,” Kateryna reflected. “After enduring such trials, our bond feels stronger, meant to last a lifetime.”
Both Kateryna, now 23, and Artem, 25, have undergone profound transformations since Feb. 24, 2022. While their reunion marks a joyous conclusion to this chapter, they acknowledge the challenges of readjusting to a semblance of normalcy amidst the ongoing conflict.
As the first night together in Kyiv unfolded, Kateryna finally experienced a peaceful night’s sleep.