The russians who captured Roman Hrybov and his comrades did not know that he was the author of the phrase "russian warship, go on ..!". Otherwise, the man would not have returned home, - Hrybov said this in an interview with Public.
"They didn't know who said it. And that's good, because I think they would have treated me badly in that case. I would not have returned home," said the marine.
He spoke about the events of February 24 on Zmiinyi Island and his captivity.
"There were a lot of us there [on the island]. When exactly this phrase came, how it happened, I can not tell in detail. There was a panic movement, so I will not even say at what moment it happened ... The marines arrived, they played their famous recording that we had to surrender otherwise we would be bombed. And our team surrendered," - Roman Hrybov said.
According to the marine, the occupiers treated Ukrainian prisoners "worse than dogs."
"They gave us the clothes of convicts, pressed morally. They treated everyone equally, they didn't care who was in front of them - a soldier, a woman, a priest ... We didn't know what was happening in Ukraine. The russians told us that Kyiv and other cities already captured that it makes no sense to return, and if we return - we will be treated there very badly ", - Hrybov noted.
The marine added that the invaders did not say that they had captured Ukrainians. "They said they were helping the fraternal people to clean the country of what they called 'nationalist' groups. The same 'special operation' they imagined. They didn't even understand what we were saying. They're very zombies." stressed Hrybov.
Thoughts about relatives and prayers helped to withstand physical and psychological tortures.
"I was with them constantly in my thoughts. I seemed to hear them. I do not conceal - I prayed every day. In general, everyone stood firm and dignified. There were fears that we would not be released from captivity. Lots of concerns, but there was hope," said the marine.
Roman Hrybov said that none of the prisoners expected to be exchanged: "... We thought we were going to be shot. Our hands were tied, we had loops around our necks, so many people suffocated along the way. They threw us into the car like meat, stuff on top. We learned at the last moment that this was an exchange."
Ukrainian border guard Roman Hrybov received the "For Merits to Cherkasy Oblast” award.
Ukrposhta [state post service] put into circulation the stamp "Russian ship, go to ...".