Tortured Dniproudne Mayor's body returned to Ukraine

The body of Yevhen Matveev, the mayor of Dniprorudne, who was tortured in Russian captivity for more than two years, has been returned to Ukraine. The man stayed in the city to the last and supported the citizens.

This was reported by the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov via Telegram on Wednesday, December 4.

Body of Dniprorudne mayor returned to Ukraine

During the latest body exchange, Ukraine received the body of the tortured mayor of Dniprorudne, a town in the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevhenii Matvieiev.  

"People are the most valuable thing we lose in this merciless war unleashed by the terrorist state — Russia," wrote Fedorov.  

Dniprovske was occupied by Russian troops in late February 2022. Soon after, Matvieiev, who had remained in the city, was captured. He spent two years and eight months in captivity, enduring torture that led to his death.  

"Yevhenii Serhiiovych was a true patriot, deeply concerned about the fate of his country and his community. He always worked with and for the people, listening to and helping everyone in need. He was determined and principled," said the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

He emphasized that during the occupation, the mayor of Dniprorudne did not abandon his city or its people, doing everything possible to ensure the community’s survival by informing and supporting the population.

"There are no words to express the pain of this loss. We don't have time to delay. Every day, Russia is terrorizing our people — true patriots," Fedorov stated. 

As a reminder, Ukraine has returned the bodies of 502 fallen servicemen to the government-controlled territory as a result of repatriation activities.

Earlier, we wrote that Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi presented state awards to nine families of fallen defenders.