Russian troops kidnapped and tortured a Ukrainian fixer and interpreter for Radio France. The individual, 32, whose name was not published for security reasons, was taken prisoner by Russian soldiers on March 5 in central Ukraine and held captive for nine days. The fixer told Reporters Without Borders that he was repeatedly tortured and held with his arms tied around tree in a forest and in a cold cellar. He was also beaten with an iron bar and tortured with a knife and electricity. The captors also staged a mock execution and left the media worker without food for 48 hours. He was released on March 13. Nikita has worked as a part-time fixer for France 2, BFMTV and RFI since 2013. He started working full time for Radio France after the war started.