Forty-five Azovstal defenders released from Russian captivity
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Among those released was a participant in the legendary “helicopter” mission of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense for the evacuation of the wounded from Azovstal. The group also included soldiers who got married at Azovstal during the defense of Mariupol. Additionally, the exchange included a paramedic who had been held captive by Russians for two and a half years years. The paramedic was first captured at the Shyrokyne standoff in 2015, subsequently released, returned to his unit, and was again taken captive at Azovstal in 2022.
Another notable release was a 56-year-old chief sergeant, an Afghan war veteran, who had been wounded during the Euromaidan and had been participating in the Donbas defense efforts since 2014.
The Ukrainian military added that many of the released soldiers have injuries and serious health problems. Additionally, the enemy held summary show trials for a number of the defenders.
“Ukrainians are our greatest asset,” Yermak wrote.
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“We continue to carry out President Zelenskyy’s task of ‘freeing all of our people’ along with the Coordination Headquarters on the treatment of prisoners of war. Glory to Ukrainian heroes! We are happy that you are back home.”
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
