I Was Captured by Russians. They Told Us Ukraine Had Ceased to Exist

During the siege of Mariupol, where I was fighting for Ukraine, there was a complete annihilation of the infrastructure. Incessant artillery, tank fire, and air strikes led to civilian casualties as the Russian enemy fired indiscriminately, not distinguishing between military and civilian areas.

The order to surrender involved ceasing Mariupol's defense and disarming, which we complied with. On May 17, 2022, we left Azovstal through a checkpoint, where Russian representatives awaited.

I sustained a gunshot wound to my elbow, receiving approximately five or six shots from a distance of about three or four meters. The injury caused severe pain and numbness in my arm. At that moment, my primary focus was on survival, so I didn't think much about the wound itself.

The realization that my arm needed to be amputated came while I was at Azovstal, in a bunker designated for the injured. I asked the medical team to proceed with whatever was necessary, preferring not to witness the procedure.

Consequently, they administered anesthesia, and I awoke to find my arm had been amputated.

At the time, the prospects of surviving were greater in captivity than if we had remained at Azovstal. My mind was clouded with various thoughts, but the overriding one that kept me going was the hope of reuniting with my children and wife.

This, undoubtedly, was the main factor that sustained me mentally through both the siege and the captivity.

In captivity, the Russians aimed to demoralize us. Initially, there was no physical mistreatment. My stay was fortunately brief due to my amputation, leading to our exchange in the first swap on June 29, 2022.

They kept saying that Ukraine had ceased to exist, that we were abandoned, and that Kyiv had been captured—but we never believed these assertions.

The first exchange attempt occurred around June 21, 2022. We, all amputees, were assembled in anticipation, only to be informed at 10pm by a Russian representative that the exchange was off and we'd be sent to barracks in the morning.

That evening was filled with conversations and dreams of reuniting with our families.

On June 28, 2022, we gathered again, cautiously avoiding talk of the exchange. Our skepticism persisted until the moment we boarded the transport and heard "Glory to Ukraine," signaling we were finally on home soil.

The first thing I did was borrow a phone and call to say I had been exchanged and was now in the government-controlled area. Overwhelmed with emotion, I couldn't continue as tears welled up in my eyes.

My wife arrived the next day; we just hugged and wept together in silence. I saw my children a week later when they visited me in the hospital. My brave children showed remarkable strength by hardly crying, which made it easier for me to accept everything.

After my return and completing all stages of treatment and rehabilitation, I returned to duty. Now, I use my personal experience to help fellow soldiers who sustained injuries and returned from captivity, guiding them to adapt back to normal life conditions.

I serve as a living example, showing that life continues in a meaningful way, irrespective of injury severity. At one time, I also received help. I was supported by the "Heart of Azovstal" organization.

Thanks to them, I underwent physical and psychological rehabilitation at a family camp, and it was also an opportunity to relax with my family. My life's priorities have shifted, leading to a new appreciation for the ordinary aspects of life and a deeper gratitude for every moment.

Concerning the situation in the U.S., where there is a debate over continuing to fund our defense against Russia, I hope they never have to witness the kind of grief Ukraine is currently going through.

It's often the case that the severity of a situation is only fully grasped when it personally impacts a community. Therefore, I pray for God's protection over everyone.

Mykhailo Vernyhora is a Ukrainian soldier.

All views expressed are the author's own.

Do you have a unique experience or personal story to share? Email the My Turn team at myturn@newsweek.com.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.