Video: Soldier Rodion Nomirovsky sends white roses to his mother from captivity in Russia
Rodion Nomirovsky, from the southern part of the Odesa region, has been held captive by Russia since July 2022. During this time, four released soldiers delivered messages from her son to his mother, along with white roses that he had given her before the full-scale war began.
Rodion is the younger of Valentina’s two sons; there is a 16-year age difference between the brothers. Before the full-scale war, mother and son communicated frequently. Valentina recalls that they were close not only as family but also as friends.
After the full-scale invasion began, both of her sons decided to join the military.
At first, the brothers served together, but later they were sent to different areas. According to Valentina, her older son was a platoon commander in the Kherson region. Rodion, who also commanded a platoon, was sent to the Kharkiv region.
While on duty, Rodion sent his mother short videos every morning and evening so she would know he was safe.
On July 10, 2022, Rodion stopped responding. Valentina later learned that the vehicle in which her son and his driver were traveling came under artillery fire. According to her, both were wounded and taken prisoner by the Russians.
At first, the family was told that Rodion was missing in action. After that, Valentina began searching for information about her son on her own. She called various agencies and wrote down everything she managed to find out in a notebook.
“I made 50 calls a day, sometimes even more. I found out that he was alive and wounded,” she recalls.
Some time later, she received confirmation that her son was being held captive.
Rodion had given his mother white roses even before the full-scale war began. Valentina explained that her son considered them elegant. After he was taken prisoner, these flowers took on a different meaning for her.
“I love red ones too, but now white ones mean more than anything else. They’ve become a symbol of my family,” says Valentina.
Rodion asked soldiers who had been released from captivity to call his mother and, if possible, to bring her white roses. According to Valentina, four soldiers have already come to see her in Pivdenne with such news.
It is through these released soldiers that Valentina also receives information about how Rodion is faring in captivity. According to their accounts, he reads books aloud to the other captives, sings when allowed, and tries to keep up the spirits of those around him.
August 19 is Rodion’s birthday. As long as her son remains in captivity, Valentina orders a cake every year on this day and treats her friends, family, and neighbors.
Ever since Rodion was taken prisoner, his mother has also participated in rallies in support of Ukrainian prisoners of war and those missing in action, and she continues to write letters to her son.
Source: Suspilne
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