Wifes of Azov defenders in Russian captivity speak to their men for first time in 2 years – photo
Pravda Ukraine
Three wives of captured Azov defenders who suffered in the terrorist attack in Olenivka in July 2022 were able to talk to their husbands for the first time in a long time.
Source: Anna Lobova, Anastasiia Hondiul, and Mariia Alieksieievych gathered for a briefing to discuss the brief calls and to address Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about bringing their husbands home, writes hromadske
Details: During the event, the women reported that their husbands surprised them with video calls on Telegram. Previously, none of them had received information regarding the likelihood of contact or the Russian side’s plans to offer it.
As it turned out later, Russian propagandists taped all calls without the knowledge of Anna, Anastasiia, or Mariia and made them public on YouTube.
The footage shows several minutes of conversations between the Azov Brigade’s captive defenders and their wives. The tired men address the President of Ukraine and beg for an exchange.
During a brief phone call, the Azovites did not reveal their whereabouts, but did proclaim their love to their wives and state that “they are in good health” despite having earlier suffered from the explosion in Olenivka.
“I saw my husband for the first time in 26 months. It was for barely a minute, but I realised he still cares about Ukraine and believes he is not forgotten. On 10 August, he will turn 30 years old; I do not want him to celebrate this occasion in Russian captivity. Please exchange my husband so we may finally embrace,” said Mariia Alieksieievych.
Anna, Anastasiia, and Mariia created the initiative group Community of Olenivka Families and continue to take part in protests supporting the release of the prisoners of the Kremlin regime. The women dared to share information about the call with their husbands in the belief that it will speed up their exchange.
On 26 July, the relatives of those murdered and injured in the terrorist attack in Olenivka, as well as current Azov fighters, made an appeal to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) and the president.
They urged the authorities to pass draft resolution No. 101088, which authorises a day of remembrance for the defenders and members of volunteer groups who have been executed, tortured, or killed in Russian captivity.
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