Wounded Ukrainian border guard on attitude of Russian occupiers: Azovstal defenders looked upon as warriors

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO — SATURDAY, 2 JULY 2022, 23:01

The wounded defenders of Azovstal released from the occupied territory have been taken to hospital where they will be given the necessary medical care.

Source: State Border Service of Ukraine

Details: During the prisoner of war exchange on 29 June, 17 border guards who heroically defended Mariupol and held positions at Azovstal were released.

In a video published on Saturday, 2 July, Pavlo Pikovets, a border guard, says that he reached Azovstal as a wounded man on 15 April. In the improvised hospital at the site of the plant, he had the shrapnel removed [from his body], his wounds were treated and a plaster cast was applied.

Pavlo stayed at Azovstal, which was under fire from all sides, until the centrally controlled withdrawal on 17 May.

According to the border guard, the occupiers treated those who were at Azovstal differently.

"They respected us... They regarded  us as warriors," he said.

Quote from the State Border Service of Ukraine: "We are looking forward to the release of all our soldiers from captivity. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to its Defenders!".

Previously: On 29 June, Ukraine recovered 144 military personnel, including 95 defenders of Azovstal, as part of the largest exchange of prisoners of war since 24 February.