A Phrase Engraved with an Electric Cautery During Surgery
Inscribed in Russian: "Glory to Russia"
A photo has been released showing a phrase surgically engraved on the abdomen of a Ukrainian soldier who was captured and later released by Russia, causing shock. The phrase consisted of the Russian military's identification mark, the letter 'Z', and the words 'Glory to Russia' written in Russian.
On June 20, Yonhap News Agency, citing the French daily Le Parisien, reported that a Ukrainian doctor recently shared on social media a photo of the mutilated abdomen of a Ukrainian soldier who had been released from Russian captivity. On the right side of the soldier's abdomen in the photo, the phrase 'Glory to Russia' in Russian, the 'Z' mark, and surgical scar marks are clearly visible. This photo quickly spread online and was later confirmed as authentic by the Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR).
The phrase "Glory to Russia" engraved on the abdomen of a Ukrainian soldier captured by Russia using an electric cautery device. Photo by Maksim Turkevich, Yonhap News Agency
The perpetrator of this act is presumed to be Russian medical personnel. Andriy Yusov, the doctor who first shared the photo, told local media, "No words are necessary," and added, "This photo should be seen not only by Ukrainians, who already know what the Russian military is capable of, but also by people around the world." Maksim Turkevich, the head of a charity that provides free treatment for soldiers with burns or severe scars sustained on the battlefield, revealed that the name of the soldier who suffered this ordeal is Andriy. Andriy recently received his first treatment to remove the scar, and it was reported that several months of treatment will be required to completely eliminate it.
Turkevich told the Ukrainian media outlet Kyiv Independent, "The writing engraved on Andriy's body is the work of a surgeon," condemning it as "an extremely cynical act." Turkevich explained that Andriy suffered shrapnel wounds and bladder damage to his pelvic area during the war, requiring surgery, and that the phrase appears to have been engraved using an electric cautery device during this process. He added that Andriy's scar is estimated to have been inflicted about 15 months ago.
Turkevich emphasized, "Given that this deliberate engraving was done under general anesthesia, it was not meant as torture to inflict pain, but rather as a cruel act intended to leave a permanent mark." Physical mutilation of prisoners constitutes a war crime in violation of the Geneva Conventions. According to a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, about 90% of prisoners released from Russia have reported experiencing abuse or neglect.
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