The mayor of Dniprorudne, Yevhen Matveyev, who was captured by Russian forces in March 2022, has died in captivity. His fate had been unknown until recently.
Matveyev was detained after responding to a situation at a Russian checkpoint, where miners from the Zaporizhzhya Iron Ore Plant had been detained. On 13 March 2022, he went to assist the miners, who were subsequently released. However, Matveyev was taken captive, according to the Zaporizhzhya Regional State Administration (RMA).
“The miners were freed, but the mayor fell into the clutches of the invaders. His further fate remained unknown until now,” the RMA reported.
Matveyev was held captive for two years and eight months. His body was handed over to Ukraine during a recent prisoner exchange.
Yevhen Matveyev was born on 8 December 1960. He studied at Kharkiv Polytechnic University and later worked in Dniprorudne, holding senior positions at a construction and finishing machinery plant and a cheese factory.
In 2006, he was elected mayor of Dniprorudne for the first time, a position he held for three terms. During his tenure, the city saw significant improvements, including upgraded municipal machinery and enhanced support for youth, education, and sports initiatives.
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Matveyev took decisive action to support his community. He established a people’s guard to patrol the streets and prevent looting, set up checkpoints at the city’s entrances, and launched a bread-baking programme to address food shortages. To maintain morale, he shared daily messages with the people of Dniprorudne on social media.
“With a clear pro-Ukrainian stance, Yevhen Matveyev ensured the life and defence of the community, even in the most difficult circumstances,” the RMA said.