Wounded Ukrainian soldier Vadym Letunov spent two weeks trapped in the same dugout as a Russian soldier after his own position on the front line was destroyed. The Odesa native, known by his call sign ‘Cartman,’ accidentally stumbled into the enemy dugout while seeking shelter during heavy shelling.
The British newspaper The Guardian reported the incident involving the 118th Brigade fighter.
The events took place at the end of February, when Russian drones completely destroyed the Ukrainian fortifications and killed one of Vadym’s comrades. Barefoot and concussed, he reached the nearest dugout hidden among the trees, only to find it was an enemy firing position.
Inside was an armed Russian soldier named Nikita, who aimed his automatic rifle at Vadym. After a brief conversation, Nikita allowed him to enter and promised not to shoot.
Over the next 14 days, Letunov used his psychological knowledge to manipulate the Russian soldier to stay alive. He noticed Nikita’s unstable emotional state, as the soldier periodically threatened him at gunpoint.
The men lived under extreme shortages of food and water, as the Russian soldier received only a minimal ration delivered by drones. For drinking water, he collected rainwater.
Vadym’s health gradually worsened due to frostbite on his feet, which led to gangrene in one of his toes. Despite the pain, the Ukrainian continued persuading the Russian to surrender, explaining proper treatment and safety guarantees in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
When their water supply ran out completely, the men left the dugout, and Vadym was able to signal a Ukrainian drone. Using a sign with his call sign and unit number, he identified himself to his command, which had previously assumed he was dead.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces established contact via the drone, which delivered a radio and supplies for both soldiers. Vadym continued to manage the Russian’s behavior, even giving up part of his own food to maintain his cooperation.
The evacuation took place in dense fog, when Ukrainian armored vehicles unexpectedly arrived at the position. Both men quickly climbed into the vehicle, with Nikita voluntarily surrendering and destroying his mobile phone before boarding.
The Ukrainian military handed over the Russian prisoner to representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine for participation in a prisoner exchange.
Vadym Letunov is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Odesa after losing a toe and has returned to his family.
