“They put bags on their heads”: Russian sailor spoke about the exchange with Ukraine

“They released every single one,” Russian sailors, who since February were held captive in Izmail, Odessa region, arrived in Moscow. The path to freedom (they were exchanged on Monday) was too long, and not all sailors waited for it: as MK already wrote, one died, the other went crazy. But the rest have returned in good health and will soon be reunited with their families.

“MK” (and, in particular, the author of the lines) had a hand in this: after the sailors contacted us, confident that they had been forgotten, the most active phase of the exchange negotiations began.

How the exchange took place is in our material.

Recall that in the issue of “MK” dated September 27, 2022 under the title “We live on the ship for seven months” we talked about the monstrous situation in which 65 Russian sailors found themselves. In short: they arrived on motor ships in early February for repairs at the Ukrainian port in Izmail, Odessa region, and so they stayed there. All sailors are exclusively civilians, on their ships they worked as a midshipman, who as a mechanic, who as a cook, etc. Officially, they were not recognized as prisoners, but they were even forbidden to go on land. Just imagine almost eight long months of life on a ship – between sea and land.

And now – sailors in Russia.

– Our congratulations, – I say to the chief engineer of the ship called “Rondo” Alexander Ivanchenko. He was in touch with us almost the entire time. It was he who first told about life “between two elements.”

– Thanks! And thank you so much for your help!

– Tell me how it all happened.

– Very unexpected. On Sunday they called and said that, perhaps, at 14.00 we will be taken out. “We’ll tell you for sure in 15 minutes.” And exactly 15 minutes later they confirmed it. We had 1.5 hours to get ready.

Since it was Sunday, we were relaxed. That is, of course, every minute they expected good news, but they did not expect that it would be on the weekend. They began to urgently collect things.

And it was important not even that, but to disconnect the ships from life support systems, to de-energize the mechanisms. We managed to do everything and gathered all the people on our six steamers exactly at the appointed time. As a result, we left not at 14.00, but at 16.00.

– How were you transported?

– On two buses. They were treated well, they were allowed to stop for a smoke break, etc. When we entered Zaporizhia, the attitude of the Ukrainian side was already worse. And a bus with prisoners joined us. 33 people (they come from Donetsk and Lugansk) traveled separately. As a result, we were 65 sailors and 33 prisoners of war. Then they brought a few more people from other ports.

How did the exchange take place?

– When we arrived at the exchange line, they ordered us to look at the ground, and then they put bags on our heads. One of ours became ill, he began to choke. The Ukrainian escort at first slightly lifted the bag for him, but then shouted: “Yes, you look around!” As a result, the bag was returned to its original position and even wrapped with tape, but left room for breathing.

It was the Zaporozhye region, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a stop called “Kamneno” or something like that (most likely it was the village of “Stone”). It was necessary to cross to the other side of the river (it has some complicated name, I don’t remember), but the bridge was destroyed. We found a place where we could wade across.

In general, they exchanged us. The Ombudsman of Russia, Tatyana Moskalkova, already met us there.

– What did you experience?

– Joy, relief, and at the same time, I couldn’t even believe that it was all over. All survived the exchange very well. None of the sailors had any breakdowns, nothing. Our guys are strong and healthy.

– How and where did the Russian servicemen take you further?

– First, to Melitopol, where everyone was counted. There we filled out the questionnaires. And then to Dzhankoy (Crimea). From there to Moscow. We are now in the capital’s hotel. They fed and drank. Offer to undergo psychological rehabilitation. But we’d better do it at home. Going back there is a rehabilitation in itself. We really want to go home, our relatives are waiting.

– And when will you be sent? I hope they buy tickets for you.

– Not yet known. Today we are waiting for the representative of the FSB, who will tell us exactly. Once again, thank you very much for all your help. And now we will take a photo for you.