Kidnapped, tortured and jailed: one woman's quest to bring her son home from Russia
Briefly

Ivan Zabavskyi disappeared in September 2022 while trying to rescue his mother, Maryna, from a war-torn area. This act of desperation reflects the broader suffering of Ukrainians amid Russia's invasion. Ivan appeared as a defendant in a Russian courtroom, accused of being a spy, underlining the grim reality that thousands of civilians have been taken and abused in occupied territories. His life, filled with music, entrepreneurship, and strong family ties, is emblematic of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine as families are torn apart by the war.
When Ivan decided to cycle across the frontline to rescue his mother, he embodied the desperation and bravery of many Ukrainians entrapped by war's chaos.
As the war's third year approached, Ivan's ordeal highlighted the increasing number of civilians seized by Russian forces, showcasing a tragic narrative amidst the conflict.
Despite growing up in a bilingual household, Ivan's warmth and loyalty to his family remained constant, epitomizing the human cost of the ongoing war.
Maryna, a devoted mother, continues to fight for her son against a backdrop of family tragedies that have devastated countless lives due to the invasion.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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