A Ukrainian mother’s profound joy erupted upon receiving a phone call from her son, whom her family had long believed was killed in action. The emotional reunion marks a startling turn of events for a family that had already held a funeral and mourned the loss of their loved one.
A Soldier’s Return from the Brink
Nazar Daletskyi’s family was convinced of his death. In 2023, they had solemnly buried what they understood to be his body in a village cemetery in western Ukraine. However, recent days brought a phone call from Nazar himself, his voice weakened and weary, but undeniably alive.
“My emotions were so strong,” the soldier’s mother, Nataliya, told the BBC, still processing the shock. The sheer elation of the entire family during that initial call, which was captured on video, was overwhelming.
A Call of Disbelief and Devotion
In the recorded conversation, Nataliya can be heard anxiously asking her son if he is physically intact, seeking reassurance that “You have your arms, your legs, everything?” Her voice trembles with a mother’s deep love and relief as she declares, “My golden child, I have been waiting for you so long.” In the background, Nazar’s cousin, Roksolana, can be heard screaming and jumping with unrestrained joy.
“It was so strange, because my son had died, I buried him, but here’s his voice. Can you imagine the emotions of a mother? Happiness. Great happiness. I could not hold back my tears,” Nataliya recounted, her words still echoing the profound impact of the moment.
The Extraordinary Path from Missing to Mourned, Then Found Alive
The full account of Nazar’s presumed return from the grave is remarkable, particularly in a nation embroiled in conflict where moments of good news are exceptionally precious. When Russia initiated its full-scale invasion in 2022, Nazar, then 42 years old, immediately returned to the front lines. Having previously served in 2014, he brought experience to his deployment. “He didn’t have any doubt. He went immediately,” his cousin confirmed.
However, by May of that first year, Nazar went missing in action. His mother later received a call from an unidentified Russian speaker who claimed Nazar had been captured but assured her “everything will be fine.” This mysterious caller provided no details about Nazar’s whereabouts, captors, or any potential injuries, leaving the family in agonizing uncertainty and without official confirmation.
A Funeral for a Fallen Hero, Then a Glimmer of Hope
The family’s agonizing wait continued until a year later, when Nataliya was notified that a body had been identified in a morgue in southeastern Ukraine. The identification was made using a DNA sample she had provided. Roksolana explained, “The body was badly burned. They had several that they found in a burned bus. When they started looking at the lists of missing soldiers, the data matched. They identified this body as Nazar.”
Consequently, the devastated family received the body, conducted a funeral service, and went through a period of intense grief. Then, last September, they received the most astonishing news of all. A soldier, recently released by Russia, contacted them to report that Nazar was alive, having seen him in captivity. “We were shocked, it was so hard to believe. But why would he lie?” Roksolana recalled the unsettling paradox of the situation. Yet, skepticism remained, as they had not spoken to Nazar directly or seen him with their own eyes.
The Reality of a Phone Call Home
This week, the impossible became reality when Nazar finally called – this time, from Ukrainian soil. Nataliya’s son had been absent for a duration of three years and nine months. As they anticipate his full return and reunion, the family has been working to remove social media posts detailing Nazar’s funeral, aiming to shield him from unnecessary distress. They also had to arrange for his photograph to be taken down from a local memorial honoring fallen heroes.
Moving Forward Amidst Investigation and Preparation
An investigation is now underway to determine how such a significant and distressing error occurred. However, for the immediate future, the family’s focus is elsewhere. Nazar’s mother is diligently preparing his favorite homemade dishes, anticipating the time when he has recovered enough to come home.
“I just want more positive outcomes like ours, for other families to get calls and for people to come home,” Roksolana expressed, a sentiment shared by many. Official figures in Ukraine indicate approximately 70,000 missing individuals, the majority presumed to be soldiers. While some have undoubtedly been killed on the battlefield, their remains unrecoverable, a considerable number have been taken prisoner. For their families, Nazar’s experience now serves as a beacon of hope.
“I wish all women, mothers, children get a call like we had – and this happiness,” Nataliya stated, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m just waiting for my son now, to hug him so tightly. I love him very much.”