Invictus Games: ‘It’s like a real rebirth,’ says Ukrainian military medic who was captured and tortured

A Ukrainian military medic who was captured and tortured by the Russians has mentioned her involvement with the Invictus Games saved her life.

Yuliia “Taira” Paievska took half in final 12 months’s video games and is at present competing in Dusseldorf.

Prince Harry paid a private tribute to her bravery on the recreation’s opening ceremony.

“I think I speak for everyone when I say I think you embody the true spirit of Ukraine and of Invictus,” he mentioned.

We caught up with Taira who informed us, she will’t imagine she’s made it to the video games.

“When you prepare yourself for death and then you get out of those horrible cells and then you see all this, it’s like a true rebirth,” she mentioned.

Taira featured in Prince Harry’s latest Netflix sequence, Heart Of Invictus.

She was imprisoned for 12 weeks earlier this 12 months, and says her hyperlinks to the video games secured her launch.

“I am thankful for this competition because it made me famous and because a lot of people got to know me, that’s why I was freed so quickly.”

Taira had a non-public assembly with the Duke of Sussex. She nonetheless wants extra surgical procedure, however will not cease combating for her nation.

“The conditions in captivity are horrible, the tortures in basic basements which they use for captivity,” she mentioned. “I want the world to demand the release of all prisoners.”

When Prince Harry based the video games it was all about Afghanistan. A distinct battle has introduced new rivals.

We met Semen Lahun, 26, who’s a part of staff Ukraine.

He was a builder in Lviv however signed as much as battle when Russia invaded.

Last August, Semen was badly injured when a landmine exploded. He practically misplaced his foot, however surgeons saved it.

Training for the video games has helped his restoration.

“It is an escape, a recreation, both physical and mental. I have lost some of my brothers-in-arms and I felt so helpless, but the games have put me back on track,” he mentioned.

Read extra:
Prince Harry opens Invictus Games in Germany
Daughter of medic captured by Russia meets Harry and Meghan

Semen will quickly return to the frontline. He was moved when Prince Harry spoke about Ukraine, and says his Invictus involvement makes a distinction.

“He’s a special person for me. I admire him because he made this happen, and he organised it and developed it, and it helps so much. Not just me, but my family too.”