Brief
Ukrainian orphan Denys Kostev survived Russian‑occupied Crimea and now fights for Kyiv
Kostev says he pretended to support Russia in Crimea to stay alive, and now prepares to fight for Ukraine.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Denys Kostev, who grew up in an orphanage in Kherson after his mother’s death, was transferred to a Russian‑run summer camp in annexed Crimea when the war intensified, he told Al Jazeera.
He said he was compelled to appear in pro‑Russian videos for Russian television networks, explaining that refusing to be filmed could lead to assault or imprisonment. "It was useful to play this pro‑Russian role," Kostev said.
Kostev described daily life at the Luchisty camp, where the Russian anthem played each morning and the flag was raised weekly. He added that the isolated children eventually began to repeat pro‑Russian narratives, and at least one teenager he met later enlisted to fight against Kyiv.
After escaping Russia, Kostev returned to Kyiv, where he is now preparing to join Ukraine’s armed forces, saying, "I wanted to live."
Key facts
- Denys Kostev was 18 and living in a Kherson orphanage when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. (aljazeera.com)
- He was transferred to the Luchisty summer camp in Russian‑annexed Crimea during the war. (aljazeera.com)
- Kostev appeared in pro‑Russian videos for Russian TV to avoid punishment. (aljazeera.com)
- He has now escaped to Kyiv and is preparing to fight for Ukraine. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “‘I wanted to live’: A Ukrainian orphan’s journey through Russian occupation”
