Recently released POW speaks of torture in russian captivity

russian occupiers oppress Ukrainian prisoners, a marine, released from captivity as part of the exchange on September 21, told the media.

Azovstal defender Mykhailo "Pianist" Dianov was taken prisoner following weeks under siege in Mariupol defending the steelworks. It was the last corner of the city to fall in May.

"They treated us like animals," Mykhailo told Sky News. "It was impossible to eat. You were given 30 seconds for each meal. In 30 seconds, you had to eat everything you could. The bread was deliberately very hard. Guys who had their teeth knocked out couldn't manage to eat in time. It was 30 seconds, and then you had to stop. Then you had to get up straight away and run. It was like that all the time."

According to him, some prisoners were thrown into solitary confinement and tortured for picking up a berry from the ground and eating it. They were beaten with sticks, used with electric shocks, and had needles stuck under their nails.

"Believe me, after a month of being starved, when you close your eyes, you forget about your family, about your country, about everything. The only thing you think about is food," Dianov told the British journalists.

The invaders held more people in the prison than the jail could hold. Instead of 150 in the block, there were 800. Due to his constant stay in an incredibly cramped space, Mykhailo began to have problems with his legs; now, it is difficult for him to walk.

During the four months of his captivity in russian hands, the defender lost 40 kg, and his health deteriorated significantly.

"Everyone is traumatized. I consider myself to be a mentally strong person, but for me, a lot of things have lost their value," Dianov stressed.

"There was horror in Olenivka, a concentration camp," Dianov said in an interview with TSN.

He said that before his release from Olenivka, he was taken out only once to remove the Ilizarov apparatus.

"They removed the device with pliers, without anesthesia, 'you're a marine, come on, bear with me,' one held my shoulder, and the other removed the device. I suffered where I had to. My arm was severely damaged. I rotted completely," said Dianov.

There were still traces of tape on his face, taped back in Olenivka, and it was removed only when he heard: "Guys, Glory to Ukraine! There was a Ukrainian flag, I wanted to cry, but there were no tears," the marine added.

He is sure that his hand will be restored and he will play again. In a peaceful life, he was a musician, he had his band in Ternopil, and he loved playing the bass guitar the most.

The serviceman will go abroad for treatment, which was paid for by his sponsors.

"The sponsors who offered me help in treatment said that I would go to the USA for treatment. The treatment will be long," he said.

It is not yet known when the marine will fly for treatment. On October 5, he should receive renewed documents.