More than 900 soldiers from the 12th Brigade with special mission of the Azov National Guard have been in Russian captivity for 600 days.
This was reported on Saturday by the Association of Families of Azovstal Defenders in Telegram, as quoted by Ukrinform.
“For 600 days, more than 900 fighters from the 12th Azov Special Purpose Brigade of the National Guard, who fought with the overwhelming forces of the enemy in the besieged Mariupol, were captured“, the message said.
The Association noted that in the spring of 2022, the fighters from “Azov” they won time for the whole country today it is the duty of every Ukrainian to free them from their terrible captivity.
“We remember our captured brothers-in-arms and their feat. We do everything for them to return home. Their freedom is our greatest motivation,” the association emphasizes.
We remind you that the Ukrainian military was defending Mariupol more than 80 days. On May 16, the evacuation of defenders from the blockade began from the Russian invaders plant “Azovstal”, which lasted several days.
On May 16, 2022, the Ukrainian military, who had barricaded themselves in the industrial complex, received order to preserve their lives and surrender to the Russian military. They were around the factory about 1,700 military personnel evacuateda large part of which are still in Russian captivity.
On May 20, the Ministry of Defense of Russia announced the complete liberation of the territory of the metallurgical plant. 2,439 Ukrainian soldiers, including from the “Azov” regiment, laid down their arms and surrendered, and criminal cases have been filed against them in Russia. Already on May 23, Denis Pushilin announced about the upcoming organization of a “tribunal” for the prisoners of the “Azov” regiment.
On July 8, it was reported that over 500 captured fighters and from other armed groups are facing trial in the Donetsk People’s Republic on suspicion of war crimes.
IN on the night of July 29, 2022, Russia launched an attack in the barracks of the penal colony in Elenovkawhere Ukrainian prisoners of war are housed. At least 50 defenders of Azovstal were killed that day. Russia has denied responsibility for this. although investigations have shown that namely the Russian army bears the blame for the strike.
According to Katerina Prokopenko, the wife of the commander of “Azov” Denis Prokopenko, at least 50 soldiers were killed in the Azov regiment and about 100 were wounded.
Russia returned 82 captured soldiers, Ukraine – 140 soldiers and the dog from Azovstal
The exchange is the result of negotiations
We remind you that during the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, there were included individual fighters from “Azov” and Mariopulbut their number was always small. Big scandal in Russia however caused the exchange of Putin’s godfather, Viktor Medvedchuk, who left for Moscow against 160 Ukrainiansincluding the military commanders from “Azov” Denis Prokopenko, Svyatoslav Palamar, Sergiy Volinsky, Oleg Khomenko and Denis Shlega.
According to the terms of the transaction concluded with the mediation of Turkish President Recep Erdogann, the five Ukrainian commanders were supposed to stay in Turkey until the end of the war “in complete safety and comfort”, but in July 2023, President Volodymyr Zelensky after a visit to Turkey returned with the five fighters to Ukraine. This infuriated Moscow.
Erdogan and Putin discuss release of Azovstal defenders
After Moscow reacted angrily to their return to Kiev
2024-01-07 07:03:32
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