Forty-five more defenders of Azovstal released from Russian captivity

Ukraine has brought 45 defenders of Azovstal steelworks back from Russian captivity.

The relevant statement was made by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We are bringing 45 of our people back home: 42 male defenders and three female defenders of Azovstal steelworks. All of them are members of the National Guard’s detachment established on the Azov coast nine years ago,” Yermak wrote.

In his words, among those released from Russian captivity, there are 35 private soldiers and sergeants, and 10 officers.

“Among them, there are warriors who got married during the defense of Mariupol, at Azovstal steelworks. Also, there is a warrior who, prior to the large-scale invasion, spent 2.5 years in Russian captivity after he was taken prisoner during the Shyrokyne operation. Later, he was released from captivity and immediately returned to his unit. He was again taken prisoner at Azovstal steelworks, and today he is coming back home,” Yermak noted.

A reminder that, since Russia’s full-scale invasion started, Ukraine has brought 2,005 persons back from Russian captivity.