Russian propagandists fail to compromise captured Azov Regiment soldier
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The Ukrainian soldier (nom de guerre Docent), who was recently evacuated along with other servicemen of the Mariupol garrison, confidently answered provocative questions from a Russian propagandist. In particular, Dutchak denied the Azov Regiment was involved in mass burials in the city of Mariupol.
In addition, the Russian propagandist asked the Ukrainian defender about his attitude towards the inhabitants of the occupied territories in the Donbas.
"(They are) Ukrainians," Dutchak said. "Of course, there are people among them who are wrong in their views, but they are Ukrainians just like us. Sooner or later we will find common ground with them. If we can't find a common language, I hope that my children and their children will find common ground."
Read also: Azov Regiment leader alive in Russian-controlled territory, his wife says
Ukrainian defenders at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol held out in the face of complete encirclement, while heavy fighting was taking place in the city. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, 6,000 invaders were killed in the city. Russian troops inflicted several dozen strikes on Azovstal every day, using aircraft, tanks, and heavy artillery.
The government previously reported that the evacuation of all civilians from Azovstal ended on May 7. On top of that, according to the UK Ministry of Defense, up to 1,700 defenders of the city were evacuated from Azovstal. The Ukrainian authorities have not commented on this information.
On May 18, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that the operation to save the defenders of Mariupol was continuing, but the process was very delicate and any public comments could hurt the operation.
Read also: 70 more dead bodies found in Mariupol at Oktyabr factory
