A new symbol has appeared at over a hundred railway stations across Ukraine — the black and white Flag of Hope. This flag has become a sign of solidarity with Ukrainian prisoners of war, those missing in action, and those who have not yet returned from captivity. The initiative belongs to JSC Ukrzaliznytsia in cooperation with the Steel Charitable Foundation, founded on the initiative of Hero of Ukraine Serhiy Volynskyi, known by the call sign ‘Volyna.’
According to Volynsky, the flag consists of two colours — black and white. Black symbolises death, captivity and loss, while white symbolises hope, struggle and faith in return. Together, these colours form a single canvas that conveys the main message of the campaign: do not give up, do not forget and fight for every Ukrainian who is still not home.
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The flag will remain at railway stations until all military personnel, civilians, railway workers and other Ukrainian citizens who have been captured or are missing in action return. As of today, more than 400 railway workers are considered missing in action, and at least 40 are still in captivity.
The head of Ukrzaliznytsia, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, emphasised that the initiative has no restrictions on ownership: the black and white flag can be raised not only by state institutions, but also by private companies, organisations and individual citizens. It is a symbol designed to remind us that behind every number there is a human story, the pain of families and the hope of return.
The black and white flag has already become a visible marker of unity — not only as a sign of mourning, but as an active reminder of the responsibility of the state, society and every Ukrainian not to remain silent and not to cease efforts to return the captives.
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