Former PFL referee Dmitry Kubryak was captured by the invaders in Mariupol on April 12. Before the war, he combined the refereeing of the matches of the first league with the work of a neurosurgeon. On September 21, he, along with the heroes of Azovstal, was exchanged for Viktor Medvedchuk and the Russian military.
UAF President Andrei Pavelko spoke about the fate and career of a football referee.
“He left with a unit of volunteers for the surrounded Mariupol, where he was taken prisoner. Even there, in inhuman conditions, Dmitry continued to help his wounded brothers. For 5 months of captivity, he lost 20 kilograms of weight, but retained his willpower and faith in the victory of Ukraine. Now he is recovering in a hospital in Kyiv, and it was an honor for me to see the Hero again, to talk about his plans for the future.
In particular, about the continuation of the career of a referee, in which we and the UAF team will support him in every possible way. It will be an honor for us and the team of the UAF Referees Committee! Dmitry is an example of courage and rebelliousness in the face of the aggression of the Rashist invaders, therefore he will inspire his fellow referees and the entire football community of Ukraine. Dmitriy worked his first fight after his dismissal as a referee at a friendly match, which was attended by the Legends of Ukrainian football and the warriors of the Kyiv TRO, and which was dedicated to the Day of Territorial Defense of Ukraine celebrated today.
Dmitry, without hesitation, agreed to a job offer at this match, which only confirms his boundless devotion to football and steel willpower. After a full recovery, Dmitry will work at the matches of the Ukrainian championship, and in the future, I believe, he will also receive an appointment for international fights,” Pavelko wrote on his Facebook page.