Hero of Ukraine stole list of prisoners from Russians and hid it in a mattress

Proof of captives' survival

A Ukrainian defender performed a daring act inside a Russian detention facility, obtaining critically important information about the fate of his comrades. The serviceman managed to discreetly remove documents from the investigator's office, which confirm that many defenders are being held captive.

Hero of Ukraine, third-category staff sergeant of the circumstances, causes, and conditions of offences investigation group of the 25th Separate Airborne Sichslav Brigade of the 7th Corps of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksiy Kapelyushny, told the "Army FM" radio station about this episode.

Instant decision

During a routine interrogation, a Russian security service officer briefly left the office, leaving official papers on the desk. The Ukrainian defender noticed a list of captives' surnames among them. Many of them were considered missing or even killed in action back home, and their relatives had no information about their condition.

Realising the value of this information, Oleksiy Kapelyushny decided to take the risk. He discreetly took the documents, hid them under his clothes, and successfully moved them to his cell, where he subsequently kept them securely in a ripped mattress.

«Це був прямий доказ, що ці люди живі», — наголосив захисник України. ("This was direct proof that these people are alive," the Ukrainian defender emphasised.)