POW families hold protest in Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosti square – photo

Sunday, 18 February 2024, 18:31

On Sunday, the now-traditional Free Azov protest held by the families and friends of captured Ukrainian servicemen took place in Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) in Kyiv.

Source: Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster; hromadske

The Free Azov protesters 
Photo: Suspilne

Details: Relatives and friends of captured Ukrainian servicemen organise regular protests to remind people that the defenders of Mariupol are still in captivity.

Hromadske reported that about 2,000 people gathered in the main square of the capital. The rally was attended by soldiers’ wives, mothers and children. Soldiers and former prisoners of war also joined the protest.

The families of the Azov prisoners of war hold these events every week.

Alisa Shumak, one of the Free Azov protesters, in Kyiv on 18 February 2024.
Photo: Suspilne

Suspilne quotes one protester, Alisa Shumak, as saying that on 20 February, it will be 21 months since her husband was captured. He is a defender of Mariupol and of the Azovstal steel plant.

"He was captured on 20 May 2022. They were promised guarantees of life and that they would be brought back in 3-4 months, but unfortunately, they are still there," Alisa said.

Alisa said that very little is known about the conditions in which the prisoners are living. She is raising her son, who is 2 years and 7 months old. He was just 4 months old the last time his father saw him.

Olena, one of the Free Azov protesters, and her son Renat in Kyiv on 18 February 2024..
Photo: Suspilne

"Daddy, I dream of meeting you," reads the placard brought by Olena and her 18-month-old son. Olena said she was two months pregnant when the full-scale invasion began, and her son’s father does not even know that he has a child.

Tetiana Vyshiak, one of the Free Azov protesters, in Kyiv on 18 February 2024. Her placard reads "I’m waiting for my son and his brothers-in-arms".
Photo: Suspilne

Another protester, Tetiana Vyshniak, is waiting for her only son to be released from captivity. She said she has not spoken to her son since 9 May 2022. Tetiana said a fellow soldier of her son’s who was released last year had told her that he hadn’t seen him but had heard his voice. She does not know where her son is or what his state of health might be.

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