Ukrainian POW Recalls How He Went From Pacifist To Soldier

I sat down with Maksym Butkevych, a human rights activist who spent more than two years as a POW in Russian captivity. Hearing him describe the torture and starvation he endured was heartbreaking.

What moved me most was Maksym’s transformation—from a pacifist with no military experience to someone who took up arms to defend his homeland immediately after the Russian invasion. He fought bravely until he and his unit were captured in June 2022.

During his captivity, Maksym was starved and fed stale food, like his fellow POWs. He thought he wouldn’t make it out alive. He was released in October 2024.

Today, Maksym continues to advocate for war veterans, defend refugee rights, and push for a diverse, inclusive Ukraine.

To watch the full interview go to www.youtube.com/@terrelljstarrofficial

Executive producer and host: Terrell J. Starr

Editor and producer: Mike Hull

Guest: Maksym Butkevych

Special Thanks: Philip Ittner and On The Edge studio

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