A Ukrainian army medic was captured by Russian troops, raped in custody, and put on trial for terrorism. Her sons ended up on opposite sides of the war. Here’s what happened to her family. - Meduza
Meduza • • world
Key Points:
- Liliia Prutian, a Ukrainian military medic and mother of three from Donbas, survived captivity and rape by Russian forces after the 2022 invasion, while her family was divided by the conflict.
- Her oldest son served in the Ukrainian army, her middle son joined the Russian army after breaking ties with the family, and her youngest son, Dima, was stranded alone in occupied territory for three years.
- Dima survived on his own despite serious health issues and eventually escaped through a dangerous route via Russia, Belarus, and Poland to reunite with his mother in Kyiv in early 2025.
- Since her release, Prutian has undergone rehabilitation and now works a desk job for the Ukrainian army in Dnipro, where she lives with Dima and her oldest son, while her middle son remains estranged and reportedly wounded.
- The family’s story highlights the personal tragedies and complex loyalties faced by Ukrainians amid the war, with Prutian enduring immense trauma but continuing to support her family and country.
