A Ukrainian soldier who endured brutal torture in Russian captivity, including being branded with "Glory to Russia" on his abdomen, has pledged to rejoin the fight as soon as his wounds heal. Andriy Pereverzev told of his determination to continue defending Ukraine despite the horrific treatment he received during nearly a year in captivity.
According to The New York Post, Pereverzev spoke exclusively from his hospital bed in Ukraine, expressing a renewed commitment to his country's struggle against Moscow. His resolve has only strengthened following his traumatic experience, which included medical procedures performed without anesthesia.
"After I will be healed, I want to go back to protect and fight for the country — and I will join it with more fervor, kind of a thirst for revenge," Pereverzev vowed. The soldier's ordeal began in February 2024 when he sustained severe injuries to his legs and abdomen from a Russian grenade attack before being captured.
Macabre Medical Torture Resembling Nazi Practices
Pereverzev spent 11 months enduring what he described as horrific medical procedures in Russian hospitals before being transferred to a POW camp. He revealed that most procedures were performed while he was fully conscious, with doctors routinely operating without providing pain relief.
The most disturbing discovery came about two weeks after one surgery, when Pereverzev found that his Russian surgeon had carved "Слава России" (Glory to Russia) in block letters on his stomach using a hot scalpel. The surgeon had also added a "Z" symbol, commonly used to mark Russian military equipment in Ukraine, below his navel.
When Pereverzev questioned his captors about the branding, they simply responded that they were following orders. This exchange highlighted for him the fundamental difference between Ukraine and Russia: "In Ukraine, we have freedom. In Russia, they do not."
Fight For Freedom Against Russian Control
The branded scar remains visible today, though Ukrainian doctors are administering injections to reduce the scarring so it can eventually be safely removed. Despite the physical and psychological trauma, Pereverzev's determination to return to battle exemplifies what experts describe as Ukraine's key strength against Russia.
"I cannot get revenge personally," Pereverzev said, referring to his torturers. "In general, what I want is revenge for what the Russians are doing — to push them off the battlefields and stop their missiles from flying through the air."
He also emphasized that the war's impact extends far beyond military personnel, noting the suffering of Ukrainian civilians targeted by Russian missiles. Pereverzev called on Ukrainians who fled the country to "come back to fight."
Warrior Culture Sustaining Ukraine's Defense
Military experts point to Pereverzev's attitude as emblematic of Ukraine's resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Alex Plitsas of the Atlantic Council told the Post that this commitment reflects "Ukraine's warrior culture, character and sense of obligation to defend the homeland against barbaric Russian war crimes."
This resolve stands in stark contrast to the motivations of many Russian soldiers. In interviews conducted by the Post with dozens of Russian POWs earlier this year, captured soldiers consistently cited financial incentives rather than patriotism as their primary reason for fighting.
George Barros, Russia team lead at the Institute for the Study of War, noted that "individual Ukrainians continue to demonstrate exceptional resiliency despite the odds being stacked against them."
International Support Remains Crucial
While Pereverzev's story highlights the personal determination driving Ukraine's resistance, experts emphasize that individual courage alone cannot sustain the war effort indefinitely. The continued flow of weapons and support from international allies remains essential.
"Bravery and self-sacrifice can only do so much," Barros cautioned, adding that "additional weapon sales to Ukraine — at scale — are crucial for empowering such brave individuals while the war continues to rage on into its third, and soon fourth, year."
Pereverzev's scars serve as a physical reminder of Russian brutality, but his unwavering commitment to rejoin the fight represents something more profound: the Ukrainian spirit that continues to resist despite enormous personal cost. As he recovers in his hospital bed, his focus remains not on his own suffering but on returning to defend his homeland's freedom.
