“Do you wish to continue serving in the Russian Federation?” — “Why the fuck would I?”
That was 18-year-old cadet Dmytro Klymovych answering the Russian officer who seized their academy in Sevastopol. 1/
He was one of the cadets who sang the Ukrainian anthem while Russians raised their flag. During the full-scale invasion Russians took him prisoner — beating him day and night. Now he is home, making up for lost time with his son — Hromadske. 2/
March 20, 2014. Two days after Russia annexed Crimea. Russians raise their tricolor over the academy. Loudspeakers blast ceremonial music to drown out what happened next. Dozens of cadets ran onto the parade ground and sang the Ukrainian anthem. 3/
Dmytro: “They had no idea it would become a nationwide event. They just wanted to “do something” in protest. They took everything from us. We had nothing.” 4/
Of roughly 300 cadets, about 100 stayed loyal to their oath. Russia lured the rest with salaries of hundreds of dollars, buffet tables, new dishes and washing machines. Most stayed. 5/
On April 4, 2014, 103 cadets left Crimea by bus. At 2am they were met in Odesa with an orchestra and a full parade formation. 6/
In 2019 Dmytro was posted to Mariupol on the search-and-rescue vessel Donbas. He and his wife Valentyna lived there. In 2022 they were preparing for the birth of their first child. On March 21, 2022 contact with Dmytro was lost. 7/
He fought in urban combat alongside Azov until they were surrounded. Then — captivity in Berdyansk, Sevastopol, Taganrog, Voronezh, Pakino.
Twice a day — the “Russian standard” of beatings. He was allowed to write one letter — in Russian. It somehow reached Valentyna. 8/
When she watched the first exchange videos she did not recognize her husband. He had lost half of his weight from over 100 kilograms.
Their two-year-old son Tymofiy, who had only seen his father in photos, ran to meet him — and ran to the wrong man. 9/
After returning Dmytro spent nine months in hospitals. Severe PTSD — nightmares, uncontrolled aggression, apathy. He is now 30. A second son is due soon.
Dmytro: “I want to give my family the time that was taken from me.” 10Х
Source: hromadske.ua/viyskovi/26112…
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