Ivan survived by luck when he fell into the hands of Russian forces. The rest of the Ukrainians who were with him were not so lucky.
The story of Ivan Skiba, the only survivor of a barrage of Russian fire in Ukraine, who, as he tells the BBC, saved his life by pretending to be dead, among the corpses of his Ukrainian compatriots, is shocking.
A taxi driver and father of four, Ivan was involved in a fight that took place on a suburban street in the country during the early days of the Russian invasion.
He narrowly escaped death when he fell into the hands of Russian forces. The rest of the Ukrainians who were with him were not so lucky.
Ivan was found lying wounded among the dead, trying to hide. He could hardly breathe because he was afraid that if his breathing could be heard he would be found and shot.
The Russians were inspecting the bodies of the men they had just shot, to give the bonus shot to those who still looked alive.
Ivan heard one of them say, “He is still alive.”
He wondered if they understood him. Maybe they were talking about one of the others. Nevertheless, he waited from moment to moment to receive the bullet.
He was already bleeding from a gash in his side. Another Russian was then heard to say “He’s going to die by himself.”
But then a shot was heard. They hit someone else. He remained motionless among his slain allies.
Ivan Skiba and his family now live in a small village in Poland. He himself got a job and his children now live without fear.
The bruises on his face and body have healed. But at night, when everyone is asleep, the wounds in his memory are open, the report summarizes.
SOURCE: BBC
View the news feed and get the latest news.
