When Oleksandr Tarasov disappeared in Kherson in March 2022, it was news that Ukrainian media often reported in those days from the Russian-occupied areas of southern Ukraine. Unknown people had dragged Tarasov into a black Mercedes without license plates. In the days before, he had taken part in peaceful protests against the Russian occupation in Kherson and uploaded videos of them to social media.
By the time Cherson was liberated in November, hundreds of local politicians, activists, journalists, officials or random people had been arrested by the occupiers in the region. Public allegations were later made against some, all trace of some was lost, others were later found dead, horribly battered.