Ukrainian boy held hostage by Russia tells of cleaning up torture rooms

Teenager, who was separated from family at a checkpoint while fleeing Melitopol, released after months-long negotiations between his Ukrainian official father and Russian soldiers

A Russian soldier walks in front of the damaged Metallurgical Combine Azovstal plant, in Mariupol, on the territory which is under the Government of the Donetsk People's Republic control, eastern Ukraine. Picture: AP Photo

A 16-year-old from Ukraine has described how he was held hostage by Russian soldiers for 90 days as he heard other prisoners being tortured in a nearby cell.

Vladislav Buryak, who was separated from his family on April 8 at a checkpoint while attempting to flee the city of Melitopol, was released after a months-long negotiation between his father, Oleg — a local Ukrainian official — and Russian soldiers, who wanted to exchange Vladislav for an individual of interest to the Russian military.