
During the night of April 3, 2014 after 11 days of captivity in Sevastopol Black Sea Fleet commandant’s office, Vyacheslav Dem’yanenko (UA Navy special purpose military unit commander, Captain 2nd rank) was finally released and taken to the mainland of Ukraine. The officer said that he had been held in complete isolation in solitary confinement; the Russians tried to persuade him to change promising all sorts of material benefits. But Captain 2nd Rank Dem’yanenko being a true officer and a man of honor refused to betray Ukrainian people: “Everyone must act according to one’s heart dictates and my heart is Ukraine and this is why I stay true to myself and Ukrainian people”, said the officer. Recall that the military unit A4398 commander Vyacheslav Dem’yanenko was kidnapped on March 23 when his military unit was attacked by Russian SWAT. He was captured at gunpoint, thrown into a vehicle and then taken to an unknown location. Several days later the media reported that Dem’yanenko along with several other officers had been exchanged in Chongar checkpoint but that information was not confirmed as he remained the only hostage held captive by Russian special forces. Only after Ukrainian and world community began extensive work on throwing light upon this acute problem and demanded the release of the officer did the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs focus on the work in that direction. We are very grateful to all Ukrainian and foreign journalists, politicians, military and all concerned people who responded to calls to contribute to the release of the officer. This particular case clearly demonstrates that only a society of free and strong spirited people can (and should!) seek justice. Glory to Ukraine!