Prince Harry.Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty
A week after her release, Paievska received a call fromPrince Harry.
“He simply inspired me to continue to fight,” she toldThe Telegraph.
Yulia Paievska (right).Pavlo_Bagmut/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty
Paievska described her imprisonment, telling the outlet she was put in solitary confinement and given just half a glass of water each day. She was later moved to a small cell containing more than 20 women, where she experienced “beatings and torture with electricity.”
Russians also told the prisoners that “everyone had long forgotten about Ukraine” and it would be “best to commit suicide because they would kill me anyway,” Paievska said.
“I had no reason to think that I would get out because they were determined to shoot me, kill me,” she said. “But for some reason I knew, I believed that I would survive.”
Prince Harry with Team Ukraine.Chris Jackson/Getty
Yulia Paievska’s daughter, Anna-Sofia Puzanova.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
Ukrainian athletes competed in the sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans in April despite the war raging in their country.
“I think what people need to remember, or perhaps don’t even know yet, is the vast majority of the Ukrainian team wasserving in some shape or form,” the Duke of Sussex, 37, toldBBC Newsduring the competition. “They removed their uniforms, put their team strips on, jumped on the coach and came over here, slept for a couple of days, tried to decompress, and then were straight into it.”
“Then they’ve got to go back,” Harry added. “So, I think, to have them here is extraordinary.”
Ukraine’s PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyconnected with the competitors via video call during the event. “Members of the team include current service members who are defending Ukraine,” he said, according to Ukraine’sFacebook page. “To win every day and everywhere is important for us today. We are proud that, at this time, you represent our country. You are showing the rebellious spirit of the Ukrainian people. Support you. Victory to you!”
Despite admitting that she is afraid to return to combat, she said, There are more important things than our fear and our emotions."
source: people.com
