Vasyl, a 50-year-old junior sergeant from Zakarpattia and a veteran of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, was captured by two Russian soldiers near the front line. He had gone to charge equipment at a rear position when the Russians ambushed him near his trench, tied his hands, and shoved him into his own dugout. For hours, they held him at gunpoint, interrogating him about Ukrainian positions.

Unknown to them, Vasyl slowly freed one hand and hid the progress. By dawn, a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone hovered overhead. Using the opportunity, Vasyl convinced the Russians to let him exit the trench and hide their gear to avoid detection. Outside, even under guard, he retrieved a hidden F-1 grenade, pulled the pin, and threw it into the trench. Wounded during his escape by a single bullet, he reached a nearby position and received first aid. Both Russian captors died in the blast.

Now recovering, Vasyl attributes his survival to experience and composure under pressure—earned in four years of frontline service.

Photo: Yaroslav Halas, 128th Transcarpathian Separate Mountain Assault Brigade
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