A Bonney Lake family told KIRO 7 News that their son, who was captured in the Ukraine-Russia War for more than two years, is finally free.
Valeriia Biletska and Roman Biletskiy learned that their son Roman, 25, was released from Russian captivity last Monday.
The parents said Russian soldiers had captured their son in Mariupol after he re-enlisted in the army to defend Ukraine.
Biletska said the war forced her, her husband and their seven children to flee their hometown, Kherson, leaving their oldest son behind as they searched for safety.
The family eventually found refuge in Bonney Lake.
“I realized that we are not going home soon on the first day when we arrived to the United States. We were very happy that we got our children out of this danger that they are not hearing explosions,” said Biletska. “I felt guilty and at the same time, happy that I could save my younger children. And I felt guilty for all the time until my son was released.”
“We made a decision to go to the United States when we were in Poland,” the father shared. “It was very hard for me to make this decision. But I understood in that moment, we probably won’t go back to Ukraine soon and I was worried for my son, but as a man, I respected his decision. I knew he was a warrior. I knew he’s strong. I was sure that he could take care of himself although I was worried,” said Roman Biletskiy, father.
At one point, the family said they received a letter from Ukraine’s government that their son had been killed in action, only to find out the news was a mistake.
“We didn’t believe it. We read it. It was hard, but we had a strange feeling it’s not true. As mother, I was worried, but I felt it is not true, that he’s alive,” the mother shared. "
Last Monday, the family saw a photo shared by Ukraine’s media, capturing their son sitting in the back of a bus -- as a free man.
“I felt like I was reborn again. It was like seeing the sun for the first time. I was very happy now that he’s safe. He’s not in danger,” she said.
The family plans to fly the mother back to Ukraine to reunite her with their oldest son.
The parents said their son is still recovering from the significant injuries he had suffered during the war.
Loved ones created a fundraiser to help with the family’s efforts.
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