Missing in Ukraine: Lyudmila’s search for her parents
Jan 31, 2025
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In this gripping discussion, Sarah Rainsford, BBC's Eastern Europe correspondent, shares her on-the-ground insights from Ukraine. She reveals the poignant story of Lyudmila, a daughter searching for her parents who disappeared during the war. The conversation explores the emotional turmoil of families disrupted by conflict, the dangers of being labeled a traitor, and the harrowing realities faced by individuals in search of justice amidst chaos. Despite the heartache, themes of resilience and hope shine through in this deeply human narrative.
The Plachkov family's life in Melitopol was irreversibly changed by the Russian invasion, leading to tragic consequences and separations.
Lyudmila's emotional pursuit for her parents' fate highlights the widespread suffering and uncertainty faced by families under occupation in Ukraine.
Deep dives
The Impact of War on Family Life
The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 devastated the lives of many families, including the Plachkov family, who had established a comfortable life with a thriving restaurant business in Melitopol. The abrupt shift to war forced them to confront unthinkable choices as Russian forces occupied their town. Despite the initial optimism and attempts to maintain normalcy by baking for hospitals, the family faced the harsh reality of repression, where protests were silenced, and abductions became commonplace. This environment ultimately led Lyudmila, the daughter, to flee to safety while her parents decided to remain hopeful for liberation.
The Family's Tragic Disappearance
In late September 2023, tragedy struck when Tatiana and Oleg were detained by Russian forces during a night raid, leaving their family in turmoil. Lyudmila, now a refugee abroad, faced the agonizing uncertainty of not knowing her parents' fate while her grandmother desperately sought answers from authorities. Despite her ongoing contact with her parents through messages, the couple’s sudden disappearance shattered the family's stability, revealing the increasing dangers faced by those living under occupation. The lack of information about their whereabouts and the fear of retaliation made it a harrowing time for the whole family.
The Search for Truth and Justice
Lyudmila's quest for justice intensified as she struggled to uncover the truth behind her parents' arrests, supported by a mountain of documents and inquiries to various Russian institutions. Despite the bureaucratic hurdles, she was met with ambiguity, especially after learning that her mother had been accused of espionage shortly before her hospitalization and subsequent death. As the case against her mother raised more questions than answers, Lyudmila remained determined to discover what had happened during her parents' detention, holding onto the faint hope of finding her father, who is still unaccounted for. Her resilience echoes the broader plight of countless families in Ukraine facing similar mysteries and searching for closure amid the turmoil.
Tetiana and Oleh Plachkov have spent their whole lives in Melitopol, a city in eastern Ukraine. They fell in love, married and had a daughter Lyudmila. They started a business, running two restaurants, popular with their neighbours for special occasions. But since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, their family has been torn apart like so many in Ukraine.
Jonny Dymond speaks to our eastern Europe correspondent, Sarah Rainsford, about one family among many whose loved ones have disappeared under the Russian occupation.
The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
Producers: Richard Moran and Eleanor Sly
Sound engineer: Hannah Montgomery
Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas
Senior news editor: China Collins
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