Over 200 Ukrainian Soldiers Have Died in Russian Captivity. Forensics Show Signs of Brutality

War leaves deep scars, not just on battlefields but in the hearts of families waiting for loved ones to return.

In Ukraine, many families hold onto hope, clinging to the last words shared before separation.

For some, those words become a lifeline. For others, they are the final memory.

Serhii Hryhoriev, a 59-year-old Ukrainian soldier, often reassured his wife and daughters with the phrase, “Everything will be all right.”, wrote AP News.

His younger daughter, Oksana, believed in those words so deeply that she tattooed them on her wrist.

Even after Serhii was captured by Russian forces in 2022, his family held onto hope, trusting that he would return safely.

Violence was common

In August 2022, a letter arrived from Serhii. He wrote, “My dear Halochka, I am alive and well. Everything will be all right.”

But when Oksana later saw a video of him, he appeared thin, missing teeth, and visibly unwell. Despite saying he was fine, his appearance told a different story.

Fellow prisoner Oleksii Honcharov, who was detained with Serhii, described the harsh conditions they endured.

Beatings were common, and medical care was scarce. Serhii’s health declined over time.

He became dizzy, fatigued, and eventually couldn’t walk without assistance. Despite his worsening condition, he received minimal medical attention.

In May 2023, Serhii died in a small, dark cell. Russian authorities claimed he died of a stroke.

However, a Ukrainian autopsy revealed he had suffered blunt abdominal trauma, leading to internal bleeding.

His family didn’t learn of his death until more than six months later.

Serhii is one of over 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war who have died in Russian captivity since the invasion began.

Reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations indicate that many of these deaths resulted from torture, starvation, and medical neglect.

Bodies returned to Ukraine often show signs of abuse and decomposition, making it difficult to determine the exact causes of death.

Forensic experts, like Dr. Inna Padei in Kyiv, work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind these deaths.

They examine mutilated and decomposed bodies, searching for evidence of mistreatment.

Their findings are crucial for holding those responsible accountable.

Back in Pyriatyn, Serhii’s hometown, his family continues to honor his memory.

His wife and older daughter, Yana, have joined Oksana in tattooing his comforting words on their wrists.

They believe that Serhii is now watching over them, a guardian angel reminding them that, somehow, everything will be all right.