Victor Jakob on 43 Months in Captivity: How He Was Tortured and Promised a Swap

Victor Jakob's Story

According to Главком: Victor Jakob, a Ukrainian who spent 43 months and 7 days in captivity, recounts the horrors of torture he experienced at the hands of Russian soldiers and his return home. He was captured in the Zaporizhzhia direction after voluntarily joining the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade in the early weeks of the full-scale invasion. During his captivity, Victor was transferred to seven different locations in Russia and temporarily occupied cities in Ukraine.

Horrors of Captivity

During his time in captivity, Victor endured horrific torture. He recounts that resisting was dangerous:

“Resisting was dangerous” - Victor Jakob

Apart from physical torture, such as having a finger amputated to force him to speak about his commander, he heard about the torture of civilians.

In April 2022, the captives were promised that they would be taken for a swap, but in reality, they were taken to Donetsk. Victor was exchanged only after three and a half years. In December 2024, he was transferred to Siberia, where he continued to remain in captivity.

Victor, now 30 years old, notes that these years were lost to him. He also shared observations about how Russian soldiers tried to create the illusion of normal life in occupied territories:

“They said: 'We came to Melitopol, and people began to live differently – better than before. Rubles are already circulating. But there was one 'but' – three rubles in the store were equivalent to one hryvnia'” - Victor Jakob

Against the backdrop of these events, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to allocate 400 million UAH to support those released from captivity, signaling the importance of social rehabilitation and support for those who have experienced such horrific ordeals.

This story of Victor Jakob reflects not only personal suffering but also the broader issues faced by Ukrainians during the war. State support, in particular funding rehabilitation programs, can be an important step toward restoring the lives of those who have endured such trauma. It is vital for society to be aware of these challenges and provide assistance to those in need, ensuring a dignified return to normal life after experiencing such grief.