“Publicity is the only thing Russia is afraid of,” — released journalist Dmytro Khyliuk in a special feature

Released UNIAN journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, in a special feature for Ukraїner, speaks about his abduction at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, life in Russian prisons, torture, starvation, and complete information isolation. A separate part of the interview is dedicated to his return to life in freedom — adaptation after prolonged isolation, the impact of information overload, and the realization of years lost.

To recall, Dmytro Khyliuk was abducted on March 4, 2022, in the village of Kozarovychi, north of Kyiv. While returning home from a neighbor’s house, he and his father encountered a Russian patrol.

“They were walking toward us with their weapons ready. Seemed like Buryats. They forced us to the ground, then, without any explanation, took us to industrial warehouses, into a completely dark room where several people were already being held. That’s how my captivity began,” Dmytro recalls.

After that, Dmytro began a long and terrifying journey through Russian prisons. What helped him endure was the desire to return home and see his family, with whom he had no contact at all. Letters from relatives and colleagues arrived with huge delays, so Dmytro did not know whether his home had survived or whether his loved ones were still alive.

Speaking about his experience in captivity, Dmytro emphasizes the importance of publicity and constant attention to the issue of Ukrainian prisoners:

“We must do this (keep reminding about the prisoners — ed.). And it’s not only the families who should do it. Publicity is the only thing Russia is afraid of. So that on international platforms, someone can keep pointing it out to them: why are you holding civilians in captivity? Why don’t you release them? Why did you abduct them? For this publicity to exist, the information must constantly stay in the spotlight. So that it does not become routine and so that the prisoners are not forgotten.”

Read more about the experience of captivity, psychological challenges, and the importance of publicity at the link.