Three Years Underground—Russian Forces Fooled

Silhouettes against split Russian and Ukrainian flags

Three years of secret defiance under Russian occupation ended with a dramatic rescue, as Ukrainian special forces and courageous medical staff risked everything to outwit the enemy.

Story Snapshot

Four wounded Ukrainian soldiers were hidden by hospital staff in Russian-occupied territory for over three years.
The elite “Angels” unit of the Ukrainian Navy led a complex operation to evacuate the soldiers and a heroic medic.
The mission required evading Russian filtration and security measures, highlighting extraordinary resilience and covert resistance.
All rescued individuals are now safe and reunited with their families; the operation underscores the critical role of medical networks in wartime survival.

Three Years Hidden: Ukrainian Soldiers and the Hospital that Defied Occupation

In 2022, four Ukrainian servicemen—one marine and three National Guard fighters—were gravely wounded in combat and left behind in territory quickly overrun by Russian forces. Local hospital staff, refusing to betray their countrymen, devised a plan to keep the soldiers hidden from Russian authorities. For over three years, these medical workers risked severe punishment, providing care and shelter as occupying forces routinely swept the area with filtration measures designed to uncover any form of resistance or unauthorized presence.

Russian occupation policies have made hospitals perilous places, with over 2,000 Ukrainian medical facilities damaged or destroyed since the 2022 invasion. Despite threats and surveillance, some doctors and nurses in occupied zones have chosen to defy orders, sheltering wounded soldiers and civilians at immense personal risk. Their actions reflect a broader pattern of underground resistance, where support networks quietly sustain both military and civilian life even as Russian authorities use filtration, intimidation, and violence to root out dissent. The case of the four hidden soldiers stands as a rare example of such defiance coming to light—and ending in triumph rather than tragedy.

The “Angels” Operation: Planning and Execution

The fate of the hidden soldiers changed in September 2025, when Ukrainian Ombudswoman Olha Reshetilova learned of their plight. A multi-agency rescue was quickly coordinated, with the Navy’s elite “Angels” unit taking the lead. Supported by the National Guard and with input from government officials, the team devised a plan to extract the soldiers and the hospital medic who had risked their life to keep them alive and undiscovered. The operation, executed in early September, required precise timing and absolute secrecy to bypass Russian checkpoints and surveillance, reflecting the complexity and stakes of operating deep within enemy-controlled territory.

Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, later credited the operation’s success to the skill of the “Angels” and the unwavering faith and resilience of those involved. All five individuals—the four soldiers and their protector—were successfully evacuated and reunited with their families. The “Angels” have now rescued a total of 88 people from occupied territories, their actions highlighting both the daring and determination of Ukraine’s special forces and the vital role of collaboration between military and civilian resistance.

Risks, Repercussions, and the Role of Medical Networks in War

This operation underscores the extraordinary risks shouldered by medical staff in conflict zones. Under Russian occupation, aiding Ukrainian service members is a punishable offense, placing doctors, nurses, and support staff in constant peril. Their courage has not only saved lives but has also maintained the morale and operational capabilities of Ukrainian forces behind enemy lines. However, experts warn that high-profile rescues may prompt Russian authorities to further tighten control, increasing danger for those still operating covertly in occupied areas. The international community is reminded of the vital need for the protection of medical facilities and personnel under the Geneva Conventions, especially as attacks on healthcare infrastructure continue to violate humanitarian norms.

Who are the daring Ukrainian ‘Angels’ who saved soldiers who hid for 3 years in Russian-occupied hospital? https://t.co/SUOiNRg6Ko

— 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 Слава Україні Смерть Ворогам (@BTLAX1) September 6, 2025

Military analysts and humanitarian experts alike recognize the “Angels” operation as a testament to the power of resilience, teamwork, and faith in the face of overwhelming odds. While the operation is celebrated as a victory for Ukrainian ingenuity and solidarity, it also raises sobering questions about the future safety of medical workers and the broader population in territories still under occupation. The story stands as both inspiration and warning, exemplifying the unpredictable and perilous conditions that define modern warfare.