Note that the soldiers were able to see and hug their loved ones for the first time in many months.
In Turkey, the defendersAzovstali“, recently released from Russian captivity, met their families.
According to Press office Office of the President, during a visit to Turkey, the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, met with five Ukrainian military defenders of Azovstal and organized a meeting with their families.
Note that the soldiers were able to see and hug their loved ones for the first time in many months.
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The OP recalled that the commander of the “Azov” National Guard regiment Denis Prokopenko (Redis), his deputy Svyatoslav Palamar, is acting. Sergei Volynsky (Volyn), commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, Oleg Khomenko, a senior Azov officer, and Denis Shlega, commander of the 12th National Guard Brigade, are in Turkey under the terms of the exchange.
“We must release all those who remain in Russian captivity and behind bars, all those who have been forcibly expelled. You understand how important this is. People are the most precious thing Ukraine has. And we are fighting hard for their return. of each of our soldiers and each civilian, “Yermak stressed.
He also noted that the families of the Azovstal defenders are fighting for the release of all who are still in captivity.
The head of the Presidential Office also noted that the history of the defense of Mariupol and Azovstal has become for the whole world proof of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people and will remain a model of invincibility for many generations of Ukrainians.
“Mariupol has become our Thermopylae. Like 300 Spartans, the whole world should know about Mariupol’s defense and tragedy. But the most important thing I always say is that the heroes must be alive,” he summed up.
In addition, the Ukrainian first lady Elena Zelenskaya met the Azov people.
“There are so many emotions. The path so far has been long and difficult. Finally they were able to embrace each other. I sent them greetings and gratitude from Ukraine, the president and all the people they are fighting for. An important one. day. The main thing is that Ukraine is fighting and will fight for all our people. There are still many in Russian captivity: men and women, military and civilians. And we need each of them. Alive, “- underlined Zelenskaya.
Liberation of the “Azovites” from captivity
As previously reported by UNIAN, on 21 September it became known that 215 defenders of Ukraine were released from Russian captivity.
Under the terms of the exchange with the Russian Federation, Azov commander Denis “Redis” Prokopenko, Azov deputy commander Svyatoslav “Kalina” Ponomar and Azov senior officer Oleg Khomenko; Marine Corps 36th Separate Brigade Commander Sergei “Volyn” Volynsky and National Guard 12th Brigade Commander Denis Shlega should being in Turkey under the personal patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan until the end of the war.
As the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky observed, among the freed are those who survived the terrorist attack organized by the Russians in a colony in Olenevka occupied in Donbass.
The released commanders have already passed medical examinations in Turkey.
