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Mariupol defenders have four options, but captivity will mean death - "Azov"

Sunday, 8 May 2022, 15:45
Mariupol defenders have four options, but captivity will mean death - Azov

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO SUNDAY, 8 MAY 2022, 15:45

Illia Samoilenko, an officer with the intelligence department and fighter with the Azov Regiment, explained that the defenders of the besieged city of Mariupol have four options, but the only acceptable one is to fight. He also explains that captivity will mean death for Ukrainian soldiers.

Source: Samoilenko during a briefing at Azovstal

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Quote: "As for the chances that we have here, I will tell you the same thing that I tell my comrades, soldiers ... in a critical situation such as this one, we have [four options - ed] ... First - you can, of course, just put down your weapons and sit in the corner and wait for the end; it will be a slow death from starvation or a quick death from a bomb, just accept it.

The second option - you can try to run away like a coward, think only about your own life, not think about your duty, about your oath; this is exactly what happened to the commander of the Marines.

The situation is such that we are more than 100 kilometres from our main positions, we do not have proper training on either side, and it is impossible to break through here. It is impossible, but if you think only about your own life, then, of course, you will grab every opportunity.

This option is very shameful and, moreover, can lead to death; one person died during such an attempt.

Third, you can lay down your arms and just surrender. And the fourth option is the only way that will guarantee your life and not cause you to be ashamed of what you did - stand and fight.

We have known all this time that the Azov Regiment will not have much chance of survival if we are taken prisoner and surrender - that is unacceptable for us. We can't give such a big gift to the enemy."

Details: Samoilenko stressed that for the "Azovites", captivity means death, since the enemy violates all the rules and customs of war. The fighters have clear evidence of this. He cited the example of Dan Zvonik, who was captured by the Russian invaders on April 20 and was filmed saying that allegedly "Ukrainians are surrendering", and urging others to follow this example. But a few days later, Zvonik's mother received a message from his phone - a photo of her dead son. According to Samoilenko, the Russians strangled this captured fighter.

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