Friday 23 September 2022 07:56 PM Ukrainian war hero lays bare horrific war wounds after being held prisoner by ... trends now
Shocking images have shown the horrifying effect being held captive for almost four months by Putin’s men has had on Ukrainian soldiers.
Mykhailo Dianov was one of the 205 prisoners of war traded to freedom on Wednesday night. Devastating images posted on social media of the Ukrainian soldier reveal the true impact being held under Russian siege had on the war hero.
A photo shared of Dianov during the siege of Azovstal steel works in Mariupol showed him smiling and flashing a peace sign, despite his arm being bandaged up after it was shattered as his unit endured a Russian siege.
The latest photo of the now-freed Ukrainian shows him still smiling, but extremely thin and pale, with scars and bruises on his arm and face.
His right arm is unhealed and according to a Ukrainian new site is missing 4cm of bone due to the inhumane conditions he was kept under.
A photo Mykhailo Dianov before he was held captive as a war prisoner by Putin's men (left) and after his release on Wednesday (right). Dianov spent almost four months as a prisoner of war, where his already shattered arm lost 4cm worth of bone due to the poor conditions
A photo of smiling Dianov during the siege of Azovstal steel works, despite his arm being bandaged up after it was shattered as his unit endured a Russian siege (left)
During his release on Wednesday he was seen smiling again, and flashing a peace sign to the cameras as he walked free
Dianov, as well as his other soldiers released in the shock prisoner swap, survival was against the odds, with many doubting they would be seen alive again.
After he was freed from imprisonment, Dianov visited a city hospital in Chernihiv, where he was reunited with his friends and family.
People online, who saw the wounds that Mr Dianov received after being held captive, have been shocked by the photos.
One Ukrainian journalist said: 'Mykhailo Dianov, a musician and a Ukrainian soldier recently released in a prisoner exchange.
'First photo — Mykhailo during the siege of Azovstal. Second photo — Mykhailo after Russian captivity. I have no words. Terrifying.'
Another added: 'When I opened this picture, I myself physically hurt. What these unbreakable people have survived. They need our help now.'
Dianov flashing a peace sign as he visited a city hospital in Chernihiv, Ukraine
At the hospital he was reunited with friends and relatives after being held captive by Russian soldiers for almost four months
The men, who were part of the Azoz military unit captured after the battle in Mariupol, lasted almost four months in Russian prison camps likened to concentration camps.
Hardline Kremlin supporters have been calling for the execution of the members of Azoz, calling them Nazis and war criminals.
In a shock move, however, the soldiers were confirmed safe and were seen for the first time since their heroic last defence of Mariupol back in May.
Dianov as well as his commander Denis Prokopenko, his deputy Svyatoslav Palamar, and Marine commander Serhiy Volynsky were confirmed safe.
Also pictured was Kateryna 'Birdie' Polishchuk, a medic whose singing inside the Azovstal steel works inspired a nation
Andriy
