Volodymyr Mykolaienko, the former mayor of Kherson, who spent over three years in Russian captivity, stated this in an interview with Espreso. He shared his thoughts on what he realized during his time in captivity."You know, here is what I understood: at the core of Russia lies deceit and pain. And contempt, by and large, for all living things. And when you realize—how to put it correctly—how our country is absolutely different from Russia, you understand in that situation that the most important thing for you is for your country to live. Even if you have to die for it," the ex-mayor said.Mykolaienko added that you compare this and realize what a happiness it is to live in a country like Ukraine."My worldview has completely changed. I realize that I always considered myself a normal person, a positive person, a good father, a good husband, a good grandfather, and a son. But in captivity, I understood that I didn't give enough to my family, that I now have to catch up on a lot of what I missed. And for me, this is the main thing: there is nothing more important than your relatives, their lives, their health, their well-being, and the well-being of your country, which may be wounded now, but is still alive. That is the main thing in my life right now. And everything else is so secondary. And you know, this isn't just my view. Or rather, not only mine. It belongs to those people who are sitting there, held in captivity. We share a common vision," he said.