Six Uzbekistani citizens currently held as prisoners of war in Ukraine have released a video message addressed to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. These men, who fought on the side of Russia against Ukraine, were interviewed by representatives of the Ukrainian project “I Want to Live.” Last week, the project published a list of 1,110 Uzbek citizens involved in combat on behalf of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
“We spoke with several Uzbek nationals held in Ukrainian captivity after fighting for Russia. They told us they were deceived and abandoned by the Russian side. While they hope to be included in exchange lists, this has not happened yet,” the project reports.
Who are they and what do they say?
The oldest POW in the video is 58 years old, the youngest is 23. Five of the men speak in Uzbek (with Russian subtitles), one speaks in Russian.
The men shown in the video, in order of appearance:
Farid Khamzaevich Assadullin, born July 2, 1966. Captive for one year. “I am a citizen of Uzbekistan. I respectfully address you, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, asking for help. I respect my president. Please help me.”
Jasur Jakhonovich Islamov, born October 26, 1987. Captured on April 7, 2025. “I ask our president Shavkat Mirziyoyev to help secure my release.”
Daniil Sergeyevich Silantyev, born August 31, 2001. Captured on March 25, 2025. “I’d like to ask President Shavkat Miromonovich to help facilitate a speedy exchange so I can return home to my loved ones.”
Musabay Kushkarbayul Madzhanov, born February 22, 1996. “I am a citizen of Uzbekistan, held in captivity in Ukraine for a year. I appeal to President Shavkat Miromonovich to identify me and return me home.”
Ghulamzha Neshotovich Adizov “I am addressing President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.”
Davlatjon Arabzhonovich Mirpulatov, born November 14, 1983, from Ferghana region, Uzbekistan. “Currently I am being held as a prisoner of war in Ukraine.”
At the end of the video, Daniil Silantyev addresses what appears to be a woman close to him, urging her to reach out to the Russian Ministry of Defense: “My dear, hello. I’m okay. I’m alive, healthy, well-fed. They treat me fine. I ask you, please try to get the Ministry of Defense to act regarding my exchange.”
Reaction to the video appeal
The “I Want to Live” project stated that the appeal to the president of Uzbekistan was published at the request of the prisoners themselves.
“This appeal is especially relevant given the upcoming visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Moscow for the May 9 Victory Parade. We hope Shavkat Miromonovich will raise the issue with Putin — both about the illegal recruitment of Uzbek nationals into the Russian army, and their inclusion in prisoner exchange lists,” the project said.
The full video of the appeal is also available.
The list of 1,110 Uzbeks fighting for Russia was shared last week. I have the full list, and I encourage those interested to check the project’s Telegram channel.
After the mere announcement of the list, I was pressured to remove it — and I wasn’t the only one. The “I Want to Live” pages on Telegram and Facebook have also been attacked with spam. Later, a representative of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the list is being reviewed.
