WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT The captured Ukrainian soldier is seen with the phrase ‘Glory to Russia’ branded on his skin in a new photograph, which intelligence services in Kyiv have confirmed as genuine
A shocking new photograph shows a freed Ukrainian prisoner with ‘Glory to Russia‘ burnt into his skin by Vladimir Putin’s troops.
Ukraine‘s intelligence services have confirmed the disturbing new image as genuine after it circulated online following the exchange of hundreds of soldiers and civilians this week. In the picture, a man is seen with severe burns to his abdomen, with the phrase deliberately branded on his body. He also has a tube inserted into his stomach. The prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine took place after US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire between the two sides last month failed, with the deal emerging as one small area of cooperation amid a continuing bloody conflict.
Confirming that the image of the branded soldier was genuine but dated from a previous POW swap, Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said yesterday: “Unfortunately, the photo is real. He wasn’t in this exchange, but one of the earlier ones.
“While examining him at a rehabilitation centre for soldiers, a doctor, overwhelmed by what he saw, took the photo and posted it online. This is evidence of what our defenders go through in captivity.
“The photo speaks for itself. And it is imperative that not only Ukrainians see it – they know very well what the Russians are – but the whole world.”
On Monday, an outpouring of emotion was seen on in Chernyhiv region of northern Ukraine as troops draped in the national flag were paraded through streets, having suffered horrific treatment at the hands of their Russian captors.
More prisoner swaps will be taking in a staggered process taking place over the coming days, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Russian Defense Ministry said, although neither side has confirmed how many.
Those who were swapped included wounded soldiers, as well as those under 25, Zelensky said. He said: “The process is quite complicated, there are many sensitive details, negotiations continue virtually every day.”
But in the hours before the prisoner exchange took place, Russia launched almost 500 drones at Ukraine in the biggest overnight drone bombardment of the three-year war.
A total of 479 drones and 20 missiles of various types were fired at different parts of Ukraine from Sunday to Monday, according to the air force, which said the barrage targeted mainly central and western areas.
Ukraine’s air force said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles, claiming only 10 drones or missiles hit their targets.
Attacks have continued over the past 48 hours, with two people killed and 54 injured in Russian drone attacks on Kharkiv overnight.
And on Tuesday, three people died and 13 were wounded after Russia hit Kyiv and Odesa with drones and missiles. A number of civilian targets were damaged, including a maternity ward and a cathedral.