I, a citizen of Ukraine, Matyushenko Valerii Mykolaiovych, was held in Russian captivity for 7 years, and after returning from captivity I had to readapt to life. I am currently undergoing treatment at the Jasmin Dental Clinic, where dental implants have already been placed (note: not all implants have been placed yet; the treatment and implantation will be completed in 2026). I would like to thank all the people of Europe, and especially the charitable organization “Ad pacem servandam,” and express my sincere gratitude for their donations in support of the Ukrainian people — they help us greatly. I would like to say that I hope everything will be fine; things are already going well for me, and I want you to know that we love you and deeply appreciate your help to Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!
My name is Sokolov Valerii Anatoliovych. I was born in the city of Krasnohorivka, Marinka District, Donetsk Oblast. I am a miner and worked in the coal industry for almost 25 years. My hobbies included hunting, fishing, and beekeeping, and I was also published as a Russian-language writer.
The war began for us after the armed seizure of Crimea. This was followed by the so-called hybrid war — economic and political. In 2014, the war came to the Donbas. Russian military forces entered my native city of Donetsk.
Because of my pro-Ukrainian views, I was arrested on November 14, 2016, by unknown armed individuals wearing masks and balaclavas. I was beaten with a knuckle-duster and taken to Svitlyi Shliakh Street, 3, to the so-called concentration camp “Izolyatsia.” There I was interrogated for almost 8 hours. I suffered a clinical death and was resuscitated with a fibroscope. I had a strip of dried blood across my chest that did not disappear for three months.
There were constant conditions of cold and hunger during detention. We were tortured by starvation and denied water. For three months I was held in solitary confinement, in the so-called “glass cell,” on a concrete floor, half-naked. After the beatings, I experienced severe tooth pain, dental cysts appeared, and no painkillers were provided.
Later, the Russians forced us to work at a military training ground where they were building a fortified area. Under shelling from mines and artillery, we carried out this work — digging trenches and transporting mines and shells. I survived somehow, I do not know how, perhaps because I am Ukrainian.
At the training ground I was beaten by a Russian officer, Markov Dmitrii Alexandrovich, a lieutenant colonel. I could be his father — a rare genetic aberration, a typical representative of the occupying forces. He knocked out one of my front teeth with his combat boots, denied me water, and forbade me to sit down. During the torture, I stood for three days — 72 hours — in the so-called “swallow” position with my arms outstretched.
After the prisoner exchange, I found myself in an extremely difficult situation when I arrived in free Ukraine with only a small bag; I had nothing else. Everything was taken from me — my apartment, my car, everything they could take.
My deepest gratitude goes to Ms. Natalya, my fellow countrywoman, and to all members of the organization “Ad Pacem servandam” for everything they have done for me. They found a highly qualified dentist for me, Serhii Mykolaiovych, in the city of Irpin. Dental implants have now been placed; they are integrating, and soon I will be able to have ceramic teeth.
I sincerely thank you. I will remember you forever and tell my children about this. Once again, I thank all members of the organization “Ad Pacem servandam” for the donations they made for my dental implantation.
Glory to Ukraine!