Vladyslav’s Miracle Survival: Ukrainian Escapes Russian Torture and Death

A Ukrainian National Guardsman, Vladyslav, miraculously survived Russian captivity and today his story stands as a symbol of the unbreakable will to live.

As the war continues, stories of sacrifice and heroism emerge daily from Ukraine’s front lines. Yet Vladyslav’s ordeal illustrates both the brutal cruelty of the occupiers and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit.

Torture in Captivity

In August, Vladyslav was captured in the village of Myrolyubivka, Donetsk region, along with seven other Ukrainian soldiers. The captives were subjected to horrific torture. Russian forces mutilated them — cutting off organs, gouging out eyes — before eventually killing the group in cold blood.

Vladyslav’s fate was meant to be the same. His captors cut part of his ear, slit his throat, and threw him into a pit, covering the body with debris to ensure he would not survive.

The Fight for Life

But against all odds, Vladyslav managed to crawl out of the mass grave. Gravely wounded, he survived for five days without water, keeping his throat wound closed by wrapping it with his clothing. Along the way, maggots infested his wounds; to quench his thirst, he ate mice and drank their blood.

What gave him the strength to go on was the vision of his wife and young daughter. Clinging to these images, he crawled relentlessly until he finally reached Ukrainian positions.

Medical Battle and Unbroken Will

Today, Vladyslav is receiving treatment in Dnipro. His throat injury prevents him from speaking, but he writes down his memories of what he endured. His greatest wish is to recover quickly and return to the front lines.

???????? Miracle survival.
Ukrainian National Guardsman Vladyslav was captured, tortured, had his throat slit & was thrown into a pit.

For 5 days he crawled to safety — starving, drinking mice blood, wrapping his wound with clothes. #ukraine #UkraineWillWin pic.twitter.com/IRricMQXjM

— Mikheil Khachidze (@mishakhachidze) August 26, 2025

Vladyslav’s story is now seen in Ukraine as one of the most dramatic examples of resilience — proof that even in the darkest circumstances, the will to live and love for one’s homeland can defeat death itself.