Today, on Halyna Dovhopola’s 69th birthday, a native of Bakhchysarai, we reflect on her life journey and the unwavering strength she continues to show even in captivity. Her story reflects the tragic fate of many Ukrainian citizens who have suffered for their beliefs and active civic engagement.
In November 2019, officers of Russia’s FSB detained Halyna near her home in the village of Kacha, near Sevastopol. She was charged with “state treason,” accused of allegedly “cooperating with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine” and supposedly collecting information on a separate aviation regiment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. On 27 November 2019, the occupation “court” in Sevastopol imposed pre-trial detention as a measure of restraint.
The so-called “trial” was held behind closed doors, as the case materials were said to contain “state secrets.” On 24 March 2021, the occupation “court” sentenced Halyna Dovhopola to 12 years in a penal colony.
The true reason for Halyna Dovhopola’s detention lies in her pro-Ukrainian stance and active civic engagement. She had publicly condemned the occupation of Crimea, writing in her letters:
“Although I’ve always listed my nationality as Russian, I hold pro-Ukrainian beliefs.”
Following her sentencing, Halyna Dovhopola was transferred to Women’s Penal Colony No. 1 in the village of Golovino, Vladimir region, Russia. In her letters, she has repeatedly reported a decline in her health due to harsh detention conditions and the lack of adequate medical care. In a letter dated 16 December 2024, she wrote:
“27 November marked five years since I lost my freedom and three years since I arrived in Golovino. Of course, the harsh climate here is taking a toll on my health. I walk with a cane, hunched over and sideways. But I try not to complain.”
Human rights defenders and loved ones have expressed serious concern about her health. Kateryna Yesypenko, wife of political prisoner Vladyslav Yesypenko, remarked:
“The deterioration of her health, combined with the inhumane conditions of detention, poses a real threat to the life of this 69-year-old resident of Sevastopol.”
Despite the harsh conditions, Halyna Dovhopola remains optimistic and continues to stay in touch with the outside world through letters. She takes an active interest in the fate of other political prisoners and sends greetings to her loved ones:
“How is Vlad? Please pass on my regards and congratulations for the upcoming date next year! Tell him that Pavlivna is holding on!”
Her letters are a testament to unbreakable faith and resilience. As part of the Letters to а Free Crimea initiative, prominent Ukrainian figures, including Jamala and Dariia Astafieva, have read her messages aloud to draw public attention to her case and the plight of other political prisoners.
Human rights organizations urge the international community to pay attention to the situation of Halyna Dovhopola and other Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia and in the occupied territories. They stress the urgent need to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to end political persecution and release those who have been unlawfully imprisoned.
Halyna Dovhopola’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of defending human rights and freedom of expression in occupied territories. Her fate reflects the repressive nature of the Russian regime and underscores the necessity of sustained international advocacy to secure the release of all illegally detained Ukrainians.
In her letter dated 28 September 2021, Halyna wrote:
“Help means only widespread publicity and reminding the Ukrainian government not to keep political prisoners ‘under wraps.’ And we are here, waiting—each of us fighting to survive so as not to ‘die in Russia’ behind barbed wire. We ask everyone: please do not forget us!”
Every letter, every mention in the media, every international statement brings us one step closer to the day when she and all our political prisoners return home — to Ukraine.