This Ukrainian journalist was kidnapped on March 12th. It tells the “world” its eight days of captivity and terror that falls into the Ukrainian regions occupied by the Russians.
Gathered by
OLEH BUTURIN, 43 years old, is Ukrainian journalist in Khakova, in the Kherson area. This territory in southern Ukraine fell into the hands of the Russians on March 2nd. Since then, demonstrations are held every day against occupation, while kidnappings are multiplying. OLEH BUTURIN himself been kidnapped on March 12th. The journalist was released only eight days later, Sunday, March 20th. He has given to the world his first maintenance since his release.
You have just been released. How do you feel?
I’m exhausted. During my captivity, the idea that my friends, colleagues, and all the wonderful people I know about worried about me helped me to hold. But my first night of freedom, I could not sleep. I am very worried about my loved ones and for the future, because I’m on a busy territory.
Do you know who kidnapped you?
From the corner of the eye, I understood that I was captured by soldiers of the Russian army. It was very similar to the image of “little green men” [Russian military without badge] who had taken Crimea [in 2014]. They jumped on me from behind, threatened me with arms, twisted my arms and demanded that I am engaging.
After, I was interviewed by different people. Those who led the interrogation had the face masked or, more often, kept his head down and covered. Obviously, among them were members of the FSB [Russian Security Services]. But there were also interrogations by unidentified persons, who were called “Chechen”, and people from Donetsk [separatist territory Prorusse].
Why did they take away you?
They have not expressed claims, but they asked me different things: they wanted the names and contacts of those they call the “nationalists” – who organize the support gatherings to Ukraine in Kakhovka Nova Kakhovka, Kherson and other busy cities – and those who manage Telegram chains in the area. They also asked me when the “Great Patriotic War” [World War II for Russia] started.
I have the impression that local accomplices of the Russian occupant, who wanted to revenge himself as a journalist, were directly involved in my abduction. They were present at the first interrogations. They knew I was a journalist. After that, I was handed over to the Russian “tutors”, and my fate was in their hands.
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