When Russian military authorities couldn't provide any information to Irina Krynina about her boyfriend who went missing while fighting in Ukraine, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
She reached out to a Ukrainian hotline that confirmed he had been captured and Krynina too the bold step of traveling to Ukraine to meet him.
"Dont expect any help from the Russian side," she said. "There are so many POWs without an official status on the books in Russia."
Their uneasy and emotional reunion was organized by the Ukrainian NGO Want To Find, which helps Russian prisoners of war connect with their families.
Krynina's partner appeared moved as she took his hand. "Why did you come?" he whispered through tears.
Ukraine offers some POWs their freedom if they refuse to return to Russia but Krynina's partner chose to wait for a prisoner exchange so he can return home.
