Two military bandsmen brought back to Ukraine from Russian captivity
Rostyslav Bohutskyi, a 25-year-old Ukrainian bandsman of the 36th Marine Brigade, has been brought back from Russian captivity. He was taken prisoner at the Illich Iron and Steel Works in the city of Mariupol three years ago.
Source: Rostyslav's mother Kateryna Bohutska on Instagram
Details: In total, two marine bandsmen were released in the prisoner swap on 19 April. The second bandsman is 24-year-old Andrii Herasymov.
Rostyslav Bohutskyi
Rostyslav Bohutskyi was a saxophonist in the military band of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. During the defence of Mariupol in 2022, he was wounded and captured on 12 April.
His cousin, Tetiana Savenetska-Fursa, founded the public organisation Music in Captivity to raise awareness of imprisoned bandsmen.
"[Bandsmen] go through the same beatings as other soldiers. In addition, they are forced to stand on a stool and sing the Russian national anthem and Russian songs for 10 hours a day. It's physically and emotionally exhausting.
In 2022, a young man from our band, Sviatoslav, was tortured to death in captivity. Like my brother, he played the saxophone. He was only 22. His body was brought back only in 2023, and the family was finally able to bury him," Tetiana told Tochka Skhodu in an interview.
One of Rostyslav's fellow prisoners who was released said that Rosryslav suffered a heart attack in early 2025.
Background: On 19 April, a total of 277 soldiers were brought back to Ukraine during the prisoner exchange.
Read more: "I miss his fried potatoes, and his laugh": five couples separated by Russian captivity
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ukraine shoots down nearly 500 drones, missiles in Russian record strike, Air Force says
Ukraine's Air Force said on June 9 that it intercepted a total of 479 Russian drones and missiles during a record-high wave of strikes overnight. According to the official statement, Russia launched 499 weapons, including 479 Shahed‑type attack drones and various decoy drones, four Kh‑47M2 "Kinzhal" air-launched ballistic missiles, 10 Kh‑101 cruise missiles, three Kh‑22 cruise missiles over the Black Sea, two Kh‑31P anti‑radar missiles, and one Kh‑35 cruise missile from occupied Crimea. Ukraine had reportedly neutralized 479 of the incoming targets, with 292 were shot down, and 187 jammed or lost via electronic warfare. In Kyiv Oblast, air‑raid sirens lasted over ten hours, according to Governor Mykola Kalashnyk. Air defences shot down Russian drones. No civilian casualties were reported. Two houses, a car, and an outbuilding in Boryspil district were reportedly damaged. In Rivne Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Koval described the night as very heavy. One civilian was reportedly injured. The attack, according to Koval, was the largest since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, one person was injured, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov. Over the day, 498 strikes reportedly struck 14 populated areas. In Kherson Oblast, numerous towns were hit by drones, artillery, and airstrikes. Three apartment blocks, 13 houses, a farm, and vehicles were damaged. Four civilians were injured, the governor said. In Kharkiv Oblast, nine villages were hit. Seven civilians suffered minor injuries, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Russian forces reportedly used 22 unguided aviation rockets, 18 guided bombs (KAB), 6 Geran (Shahed) drones, 4 unspecified UAVs, and 1 Molniya drone. Civil damage included houses, a store, a camp, and vehicles. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukrainian defences downed six UAVs at night, Governor Serhii Lysak said. A farm, houses, and vehicles in the region were reportedly hit. In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces launched nearly 90 strikes across 35 settlements, injuring nine civilians, local authorities reported. Shops, a school, homes, and cars were reportedly damaged. Authorities evacuated 21 people. In Cherkasy Oblast, air defences shot down 33 Russian drones overnight. No injuries were reported, but falling debris damaged four houses, a farm outbuilding, and a car in the Cherkasy district. Read also: Ukrainian drones hit Russian electronic warfare facility in Chuvashia Republic, military says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ukraine says Russia launched 479 drones in war's biggest overnight bombardment
Russia launched 479 drones at Ukraine in the war's biggest overnight drone bombardment, the Ukrainian air force said on Monday. Apart from drones, 20 missiles of various types were fired at different parts of Ukraine, according to the air force, which said the barrage targeted mainly central and western areas of Ukraine. Ukraine's air defences destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles in mid-flight, an air force statement said, claiming that only 10 drones or missiles hit their target. It was not possible to independently verify the claim. Russia's aerial attacks usually start late in the evening and end in the morning, because drones are harder to spot in the dark. Russia has relentlessly battered civilian areas of Ukraine with Shahed drones during the more than three-year war. The attacks have killed more that 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations. Russia says it targets only military targets.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ukraine says Russia launched 479 drones in the war's biggest overnight drone bombardment
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched 479 drones at Ukraine in the war 's biggest overnight drone bombardment, the Ukrainian air force said Monday. Apart from drones, 20 missiles of various types were fired at different parts of Ukraine, according to the air force, which said the barrage targeted mainly central and western areas of Ukraine. Ukraine's air defenses destroyed 277 drones and 19 missiles in mid-flight, an air force statement said, claiming that only 10 drones or missiles hit their target. It was not possible to independently verify the claim. Russia's aerial attacks usually start late in the evening and end in the morning, because drones are harder to spot in the dark. Russia has relentlessly battered civilian areas of Ukraine with Shahed drones during the more than 3-year war. The attacks have killed more that 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations. Russia says it targets only military targets. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at
