Kostiantyn Davidenko is a Ukrainian public advocate and former civilian detainee who has transformed his experience of Russian captivity into a mission to support others facing similar ordeals. Working with former detainees, prisoners, and their families, he helps document abuses, raise public awareness, and provide practical assistance to those navigating the uncertainty of detention and recovery. His work combines advocacy, humanitarian support, legal guidance, and efforts to ensure that the experiences of those held in captivity are neither ignored nor forgotten.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen interviews Davidenko about the realities of Russian detention, the misconceptions that persist abroad about both Russian aggression and Ukrainian resistance, and the challenges confronting civilians and families affected by captivity. Davidenko discusses his organization’s efforts to provide legal, psychological, and humanitarian assistance, strengthen international partnerships, and expand rehabilitation programs for former detainees. He also reflects on the resilience that has sustained Ukrainians throughout the war, the systematic nature of abuses within Russian detention facilities, and the continuing need for public advocacy, accountability, and support for those still awaiting freedom.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: When Western media covers Russia’s war against Ukraine, what aspects of captivity and Russian aggression are being accurately reported, and where do you think foreign audiences still misunderstand the reality on the ground?

Kostiantyn Davidenko: That is a very good question. These topics are closely connected, because captivity is a direct consequence of Russian aggression.

From my experience, reading news, speaking with people in Europe, and traveling there with lawyers, I have observed that many Europeans do not fully grasp the depth and systematic nature of the cruelty involved. For an average person, it is difficult to understand how such levels of sadism can occur, especially not as isolated incidents, but as part of a broader pattern.

This is not about a single individual or a rare case of extreme behavior. What we see are repeated patterns across different regions, detention facilities, and personnel. Similar methods and practices appear in multiple places, suggesting that these are not random acts but part of a structured system.

The scale and depth of this problem are not fully understood. In general, only a limited number of people seem to grasp its full extent.

A second misunderstanding concerns Ukrainian resistance. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, many believed Ukraine would fall within days or weeks. Now, years later, Ukraine continues to resist. This demonstrates that both Russia and much of the international community underestimated Ukraine and the resilience of its people.

Many of those now fighting on the front lines were previously civilians. Some individuals I met during rehabilitation later returned to military service once their health allowed it. This reflects a strong sense of commitment and determination within Ukrainian society.

Third, in my view, many in Europe do not fully appreciate the scope of Russia’s objectives and the boundaries it is willing to cross. This is often interpreted through frameworks that assume more limited goals, which may not fully correspond to the reality observed on the ground.

If something aligns with Russia’s interests, it is often framed as serving the state’s interests. But in practice, many actions appear to be driven by what serves the current political leadership rather than the well-being of society as a whole.

The system does not seem to prioritize human life. It does not appear to matter how many people die, whether Ukrainians or Russians. There are also documented cases of Russian authorities mistreating their own citizens. During my time in detention, most of the people I encountered were Russian nationals, and they were treated harshly as well. This suggests that the issue is not only about hostility toward Ukrainians, but also reflects a broader disregard for individuals within the system.

This points to a deeper structural problem: a lack of value placed on human life. In such an environment, individuals may become more fatalistic, feeling that their lives are beyond their control. This mindset can shape both personal attitudes and institutional behavior.

When people outside the region try to understand Russia, they may underestimate this dynamic. There is sometimes an assumption that the system functions primarily in the interests of its citizens, but that assumption does not always align with observed realities.

Jacobsen: You now work extensively with former detainees and their families. What is the mission of your organization, and what kinds of support do you provide?

Davidenko: Our organization works in three main areas. The first is advocacy. We aim to raise awareness, both within Ukraine and internationally, about the situation of civilians in detention. We work to inform governments, international institutions, and the broader public that this is a serious issue involving violations of fundamental human rights. Our goal is to ensure that these violations are recognized, documented, and addressed, and to prevent such practices from becoming normalized or spreading further.

The second area is support for detainees’ families. For a family to endure the absence of a loved one, they need both internal and external resources. We provide psychological support, practical advice, and legal assistance. This includes helping families submit statements to state authorities and international bodies, such as the OSCE and other institutions, and assisting them in documenting cases so that these crimes are formally recorded.

We also help families navigate systems related to evidence submission, victim registries, and other accountability mechanisms.

The third area involves practical assistance. We work to raise funds to support families directly, helping cover housing costs, organizing shelter for children, and providing access to rehabilitation and medical treatment for both former detainees and their relatives.

The third area is something we are still developing, because we currently lack sufficient funding. It involves helping those who remain in captivity. Supporting those who have already returned is comparatively easier, because they are here and we can provide psychological and legal assistance directly.

However, for those still held in Russian detention facilities, the challenge is much greater. The state does not fully cover the costs of treatment and recovery for former detainees, and resources are even more limited when it comes to assisting those who remain in captivity.

We are trying to support them indirectly by maintaining communication where possible and by sending basic supplies such as medicine, clothing, and food. We also try to gather information about their health and conditions, as well as about others they may encounter in detention.

This information-gathering is extremely important. Russia does not provide transparent information about detainees, and access through international organizations such as the Red Cross is limited. As a result, it is often difficult to verify whether individuals are alive or to understand their conditions.

One of the few ways to obtain information is through those who have been released or through rare instances of communication from those still in captivity. Although this process is difficult and often unreliable, we continue to pursue it. With more resources, we could do this work more effectively and on a larger scale.

Jacobsen: Building that support network requires cooperation across multiple institutions. Who are your key partners, and how do those relationships help advance your work?

Davidenko: We cooperate with several organizations and institutions. We work with the Coordination Headquarters on issues related to detainees. We also engage with the Red Cross, although access and cooperation can be limited. In addition, we collaborate with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) and receive support connected to international organizations, including those working on migration and humanitarian assistance.

We are also beginning cooperation with Ukrainian embassies and hope to expand this to include those of other supportive countries. However, these partnerships are still in the early stages.

Jacobsen: Looking ahead, what are your organization’s primary goals for 2026, and what initiatives are you hoping to launch or expand in the coming year?

Davidenko: For 2026, we have several planned initiatives. We are continuing cooperation with international partners such as ICMP and organizations involved in migration and humanitarian support. We aim to expand access to treatment and rehabilitation for former detainees.

We are also planning legal advocacy efforts within Ukraine, including activities in Kyiv and other cities. In addition, we intend to organize international legal outreach, including visits to several countries, although the exact locations have not yet been finalized.

We are currently working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has appointed a new special envoy on this issue. We have already begun cooperating with this office. We hope that by the autumn we will organize a European legal forum to gain broader support and participation. For now, that is our immediate plan.

Another important initiative concerns children. We have reached agreements with partner organizations to arrange vacations and rehabilitation opportunities for children affected by the war. We also plan to support individuals returning from captivity by providing legal guidance, personal support, and practical assistance. For example, we have visited communities of former detainees, bringing basic supplies such as food, tea, and other necessities, so they can feel supported and begin adjusting to life in freedom.

There are many plans, and we hope they will be realized.

Jacobsen: Advocacy work can sometimes attract criticism or resistance. Have you encountered opposition, intimidation, or attempts to undermine your efforts?

Davidenko: Fortunately, I have not faced direct opposition or personal threats so far. I am not aware of any journalists or politicians actively trying to stop our work. There may be indirect challenges, but nothing that has directly targeted me personally.

Jacobsen: What role, if any, does the Ukrainian government play in supporting your work and the broader cause of assisting detainees and their families?

Davidenko: No, the state does not provide direct financial support. It does assist with coordination, information, and certain institutional connections, but it does not fund our activities.

Jacobsen: How is your organization funded, and what additional resources are most urgently needed to sustain and expand your efforts?

Davidenko: It comes from a mix of sources. Families of detainees contribute, as do various organizations and private donors. We would like to expand this support further, as current funding remains limited. We hope that over the course of this year we will be able to attract more donations to sustain and grow our activities.

Jacobsen: Thank you very much for the opportunity and your time, Kostiantyn.