Solutions from Ukraine: new online course teaches captivity survival skills and prevention strategies

A free educational course on proper behavior in captivity, or how to avoid it, was developed and released for Ukrainians.

Rubryka writes about this with reference to the organizers.

What is the problem?

According to the human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, as of February 25, unofficial reports state that the Russian Federation is currently holding 28,000 Ukrainian citizens as prisoners.

On November 17, the Ministry of Reintegration reported that 4,337 Ukrainians were currently held captive – that was the exact number confirmed. Out of those, 3,574 were military personnel, and 763 were civilians, with a total of 1953 individuals being released from captivity.

Soldiers who were able to make it back home from Russian prisons report that while in captivity, Russians subject prisoners to starvation, unsanitary living conditions, lack of access to medication or healthcare, and frequent physical abuse.

"During Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and the inhumane conditions in which our citizens are in Russian captivity, the need for clear survival strategies has become more relevant than ever," the organizers note.

What is the solution?

The Chameleon Education Course is a guide on how to avoid or survive captivity. It is already available on the Prometheus platform.

The course was created by Vitaly Apalkov, who is not only a Ph.D. and a teacher but also a Colonel. His research focuses on adaptive models of human behavior in isolated and captive environments.

How does it work?

"This course not only provides the necessary knowledge on how to behave in captivity and react to the most difficult situations, but also teaches adaptive behavior that can provide our compatriots with a chance to survive and return home," the organizers say.

By listening, individuals will be able to acquire knowledge about surviving in captivity and learn how to detect deceitful behavior from their conversation partners accurately.

Programs' course

Module 1. Captivity as a phenomenon: definition of the concept

1.1. What is "captivity," its causes, goals, consequences

1.2. Retrospective analysis: from the Northern War to the present day

• The first module describes the history of human treatment during humanity's wars. One will learn about the main reasons for the emergence of such a complex phenomenon as captivity and how the humanization of captivity took place over time.

Module 2. Evasion from capture and survival in the occupied territories

2.1. How not to look like a "tasty morsel"?

2.2. Social networks and messengers

2.3. Communication with the enemy patrol and movement through roadblocks

• The second module is aimed at creating an awareness that the best form of captivity is the one that was prevented. It will teach one how to act when they wake up to find enemy equipment outside their window and realize they are under occupation.

Module 3. Nuances of capture

3.1. Inertia of thinking is a danger

3.2. What language and what to talk about?

• The third module is devoted to the nuances of being captured. How to behave if capture is inevitable? How not to expose yourself to danger? What actions or words can harm you?

Module 4. Behavior during transportation

4.1. Methods of transporting prisoners and behavior in transport

4.2. The deceptive temptation of escape

The fourth module offers advice on how to behave during transportation, which presents many potential hazards. It is essential to know how to withstand the inhumane treatment of guards and what actions to take to survive. Are there incidents of prisoners escaping during transport, and if so, is it wise to attempt to escape?
Module 5. Psychology of interrogation

5.1. The structure of the interrogation

5.2. Peculiarities of verbal communication

5.3. Features of non-verbal communication

5.4. Empty speech "Reply – be silent"

• The fifth module is devoted to the psychology of interrogation. How to behave during the first interrogation, what information to provide, and how to mimic during the rest of the interrogations? Can the interrogator mimic as well? Communication with the patrol and communication with the "investigator" – is there a difference that can help?

Module 6. Survival in places of detention

6.1. Basic rules of survival in captivity

6.2. Communication with guards

6.3. How to find a friend

• The sixth module will introduce the rules of survival in places of detention.

Module 7. Torture, artificial executions, and artificial exchanges

7.1. Purpose and goals

• In the seventh module, the purpose and consequences of torture are explained. By comprehending their mechanisms, one will be able to develop a behavioral model to avoid them effectively.

Module 8. Recovery after captivity

8.1. Key components of reintegration

8.2. Psychological consequences of captivity

8.3. Family discourse

• The eighth module is devoted to recovery after captivity. It explains what to expect from medical staff and psychologists at this stage, helps the family and loved ones of the detainees prepare to meet them, and also explains how to promote recovery – physical and psychological.

You can sign up for the course through the provided link, and the training will commence on April 3rd.

It was developed jointly with the Civilian Preparedness Center of the Serhiy Prytula Charitable Foundation.

For reference:

It should be noted that the mission of the United Nations Organization recorded the execution of 32 captured Ukrainian soldiers in the period from December 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, and this is much more than in any of the previous periods.

Moreover, the Ukrainians who have been liberated from Russian captivity will receive comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation treatment based on Western techniques, with the assistance of foreign experts.