Yevhen Matveev, the mayor of Dniprorudne in the Zaporizhzhia region, was abducted by Russian forces on March 13, 2022, at a checkpoint.
Matveev had gone to the site to address the detention of miners from the Zaporizhzhia Iron Ore Plant, whose bus was being blocked by Russian troops.
While the workers were later released, Matveev was detained, his phone and vehicle confiscated. He was taken into Russian custody, where he remained for nearly three years.
His fate remained uncertain until recently.
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Zaporizhzhia Governor Ivan Fedorov reported on Telegram that Matveev had been tortured during his time in captivity.
His body was returned to Ukraine as part of the latest prisoner exchange on November 29, along with the remains of 502 fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
"He was held captive by the occupiers for 2 years and 8 months and was tortured. During the latest exchange, his body was returned to Ukraine," Fedorov confirmed.
According to the International Society for Human Rights, over 14,000 Ukrainian civilians remain detained in Russian facilities, many facing inhumane conditions.
