The civilian population during military operations is a highly vulnerable group of people who risk being captured by hostile forces. The Geneva Convention states, "it is prohibited in time of armed conflict to take hostages persons who are not members of the armed forces." However, as we know, the occupying country violates any international statutes. According to the data provided by Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, as of July 2023, more than 25,000 Ukrainians of all ages have become prisoners of the Russian army.

In this article, the «CHARITY FUND «DIRECT INCLUSION» shares the rules of behavior in enemy captivity. Hopefully, you will not need these rules.

Psychological balance

Experts identify several basic states of a person who has been captured:

• Panic may begin in the first minutes after the capture. This is the body's natural reaction to stress, accompanied by profuse sweating, trembling, confused thinking, and a strong desire to escape. It is necessary to give free rein to physical reflexes to help yourself cope with the shock (if it is not dangerous for you).
• Then comes the stage of rejection of reality. During the first hours of captivity, the brain can deny everything. Survival experts advise keeping hope for the best and finding small but positive things (for example, you have the ability to breathe, talk to other captives, dream, etc) If it is not a threat, keep in touch with other prisoners and calm down those experiencing shocks together.
• The period of disbelief is followed by heightened vigilance and anxiety. Experts advise focusing on abstract things that do not cause stress and negative thoughts during this time.
• You might develop either a "resistance" or a "yielding" pattern after a few days of captivity. However, it is worth remembering that the main goal in such a situation is to survive, so you should make informed decisions that will not harm your integrity.

Even morally strong individuals can experience depression and despondency. To not lose heart, you need to look for support from the outside (for example, by making friends with other survivors) and from within (by dreaming and thinking about life after release).

Keep in mind the rules of behavior

A captured person's life depends almost entirely on the enemy's decisions. To avoid unnecessary risks, you should follow some simple but effective rules:

• Keep your mind calm and cool;
• An open conflict can only harm you, so it is better to take the position of an "observer" and not provoke the occupiers. Sometimes even simple eye contact can be perceived as a challenge;
• Answer the question of the occupiers briefly and unemotionally so as not to show your attitude towards them;
• Remind yourself that you are human. Talk to other captives about ordinary everyday things (weather, animals, favorite holidays, etc.) without giving away valuable personal information.
• Behave yourself with dignity because it is the shield against the enemy in war. At the same time, try to avoid orders that may have criminal consequences;
• Continue to exercise, eat, and sleep despite your captivity. Your health and life are a priority;
• Do not criticize yourself or make you feel guilty for not being able to manage your own life;
• Try to reduce your stress level (by meditating, joking, following a daily routine);

• Find goals for survival and keep hope alive. Remember your family and friends who are waiting for you every moment.

The «CHARITY FUND «DIRECT INCLUSION» reminds Ukrainians who live in the occupied territories and face the risk of being captured daily: your calmness plays a key role in returning home as soon as possible. The more disdain one shows for the aggressor, the harsher the conditions he creates for them. We believe in our victory and the return of all the captured Ukrainians home as soon as possible!