- Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov weighs solely 57kg in comparison with 95kg earlier than captivity
Shocking earlier than and after footage present a Ukrainian soldier trying painfully skinny after being free of Russian captivity in scenes harking back to liberated Nazi camps.
When Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov, 41, was taken prisoner by invading Russian troops 20 months in the past he weighed a wholesome 95kg.
But horrifying pictures taken after his launch final month as a part of a prisoner alternate present what might be mistaken for footage from a World War II Nazi demise camp.
Volodymyr, who’s 6.2ft, has misplaced practically half his physique weight and now weighs simply 57kg. His skeletal physique is so skinny that each rib could be counted and his painfully fleshless arms dangle down like pipe cleaners.
He is being handled for a number of medical issues brought on by his hunger. Volodymyr mentioned: ‘My well being is way worse than I anticipated.
Horrifying pictures (above) taken after Volodymyr’s launch final month as a part of a prisoner alternate present what might be mistaken for footage from a World War II Nazi demise camp
When Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov, 41, was taken prisoner by invading Russian troops 20 months in the past he weighed a wholesome 95kg (pictured)
Volodymyr, who’s 6.2ft, has misplaced practically half his physique weight and now weighs simply 57kg. His skeletal physique is so skinny that each rib could be counted and his painfully fleshless arms dangle down like pipe cleaners
‘I’ve, as they are saying, a “whole bouquet” of ailments, together with power gastritis in an acute stage, non-alcoholic fatty liver illness, gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD), a illness of the human digestive system, power prostatitis in remission, and so forth.’
His spouse Inna, 34, mentioned: ‘I need folks to see what’s being completed to our prisoners of battle in Russia’s jails.’
Volodymyr was serving with Ukraine’s 56th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade when he was captured on April 12, 2022.
He had been detained after Ukrainian forces have been surrounded within the Ilyich Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol, in accordance with native media reviews.
He was then held in a succession of detention amenities within the Russian-occupied Luhansk area of Ukraine in addition to in Russia and was additionally reportedly subjected to torture.
Russians troopers reportedly beat and abused their prisoners and when Volodymyr was launched he was so confused he didn’t even realise he was again in Ukraine.
The first cease after he was captured was the infamous Olenivka barracks, the place troopers allegedly attempt to ‘break’ PoWs.
‘We have been met by a Jack Booted thug,’ he mentioned. ‘Each of us mentioned his final title, first title and patronymic and runs to the barracks via a “living corridor”.
‘Three males on the left, the identical variety of folks on the fitting. Each of them had a “work tool” of their arms – a membership or rubber stick.
‘Others had one thing like a reducing board or a strap with steel inserts. Each of them tries to hit you as laborious as potential.’
The last man ‘jumped up and kicked you within the guts. He hit so laborious that just about everybody fell over.’
The inmates have been allegedly compelled to take away objects of clothes and undergo the identical course of once more. ‘Many of the lads received hit within the kidneys,’ Volodymyr mentioned.
In Sukhodolsk, additionally within the invaded territory of Ukraine, ‘they took me to the cell, and there have been two of them.
‘And certainly one of them mentioned: “According to our information, you are a [military] instructor in the Azov regiment.”‘
His spouse Inna (left, pictured with Volodymyr), 34, mentioned: ‘I need folks to see what’s being completed to our prisoners of battle in Russia’s jails’
In reality, Volodymyr was a musician in Mariupol and on cruise ships and was recruited into the navy orchestra instantly earlier than the battle in 2020.
‘I answered that this info was removed from the reality. But they didn’t imagine me,’ he mentioned. ‘And the beating began on my legs, chest, and stomach. Accusations and blows. Then, apparently, they received uninterested in it.
‘They mentioned, effectively, if you’re a musician and we’ll carry a guitar, will you have the ability to play it? “Well, of course, I will play,” I instructed them.’
Later he was moved to an unspecified location in Russia. He mentioned: ‘When we arrived, one of many boys requested the guards the place we have been. And in response the voice says: “Welcome to hell!”‘
They have been allegedly compelled onto their knees and elbows, undressed and washed with chilly water.
‘All this was accompanied by beatings – with sticks, batons, reducing boards and shockers,’ Volodymyr mentioned. ‘Then they took fingerprints. And, once more, the beatings, they hit wherever they might – again, chest, head, arms, legs.’