The russians' only goal is to destroy Ukrainian identity: the photographer told The Guardian about communication with Ukrainians who survived enemy captivity.

Photographer Zoya Shu documented the experiences of people captured or kidnapped from Ukraine by the russians. She spoke with victims from both the 2014 conflict and those affected by the full-scale invasion. Shu shared their stories with journalists.

One of the most striking photos in the series is of Bohdan Serhiyets, a resident of occupied Donetsk, who had a swastika carved into his back by a separatist in 2014, accusing him of "Nazism."

Another photo features Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer captured in April 2022 while fighting for Ukraine. He and his colleague, Sean Pinner, who were threatened with death, reported being beaten, stabbed, and electrocuted.

Other survivors recounted sexual assault and rape by the occupiers. Many victims struggle to recover from their ordeals, even years after their release.

Hunger was another method of torture. Boris, a former prisoner, lost 45 kg during two years in captivity and was so weak upon his return that he couldn't walk. He described how beatings and other tortures were deliberately filmed by the russians. Some of his cellmates did not survive.

Former prisoners were also forced to sing the russian national anthem and recite "patriotic" poems and songs. Torture was used to coerce Ukrainians into agreeing with distorted historical facts favoring imperial russia. Shu noted that a soldier from western Ukraine who did not speak russian received additional punishment.

Photos: Zoya Shu

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