Extortion is latest Russian war tactic targeting Ukraine families
Ukraine war
Mothers and wives receive calls claiming to know loved ones’ whereabouts
A mother and son walk past families holding a banner showing the photographs of 12,600 prisoners of war and missing people, in Kyiv on April 6. (Photo by Eiji Furukawa)
KYIV — The man spoke in Russian in a calm, businesslike tone. “If you do not agree now to collaborate with me and my superiors, next week we will send you an interesting video,” he said. “You will see your son suffering. He may lose parts of his body.”