Defender of Snake Island returned to Izmail after 3.5 years of captivity

After more than three and a half years in Russian captivity, Vitaliy Girenko, a serviceman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, has returned home. On August 16, in his hometown of Izmail, he was welcomed as a hero, and his return became a true event, filled with emotions and hope for the entire city.

Captured from the first day

Vitaliy Girenko is one of the defenders of the strategically important Snake Island, which became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance in the very first hours of the full-scale Russian invasion. He fell into Russian captivity on February 24, 2022 — the day Moscow launched its aggressive military campaign against sovereign Ukraine. This fact highlights the duration of his ordeal and the cruelty of the conflict, in which thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are being held captive.

After a painful wait, on July 23, Vitaliy was freed as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange organized by the Ukrainian authorities. This is a long and complex process that depends on Kyiv's diplomatic efforts, often under conditions of ongoing confrontation. Upon his return to Ukraine, he underwent a course of medical rehabilitation to physically and mentally recover from his experience. His case is a testament to the price every serviceman pays in this war.

Triumphal return

Vitaliy's welcome in Izmail was marked by exceptional emotion. On the central square, he was met with tears of joy, heartfelt hugs, waving Ukrainian flags, and live music. Among those who came to welcome him were his loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, and volunteers who had gathered to express their gratitude to one of the heroes of modern Ukraine.

Today in Izmail, we welcomed a Hero. He was captured on the first day of the war. After returning to his homeland, he underwent a rehabilitation course and now has finally returned home"

Long-awaited family reunion

One of the most touching moments was Vitaliy's reunion with his family. His mother, his wife Olha, and his little son, who saw his father today for the first time, were the most impatient of all. When Vitaliy was captured, his wife was seven months pregnant. Throughout all these years, she and his mother, who lived for some time under occupation in the Kharkiv region, never lost hope.

The defender's mother spoke of her exhausting efforts to get information about her son, contacting the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the National Information Bureau, the Red Cross, and Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. She shared her joy at the news of the upcoming exchange, which was communicated to her in an unusual way: "When the Coordination Center sent me smiling emojis, I understood that there would be an exchange. It was happiness... I was so excited for him to set foot safely on home soil, and when they told me he was already in the country, I cried and cried with joy".

Hope and recovery

Vitaliy himself, visibly happy and relieved, shared his first plans with journalists: "I am happy that all of this is over. Now I will rest and recover my strength in Odesa_q_. He said that he had recently had the opportunity to swim in the sea for the first time in years.

His return is not only a personal triumph but also a symbolic act for all of Ukraine, embodying the strength, spirit, and resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of aggression. While Moscow continues to deny or downplay its crimes, Ukraine is firmly determined to continue its efforts to bring every one of its citizens back from Russian captivity, using all possible negotiation channels.

The news of Vitaliy Girenko's return was initially reported by the publication Bessarabiya INFORM.