Combat medic from Azovstal steelworks published first post after liberation from Russian captivity

OLENA BARSUKOVA – SATURDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2022

Combat medic Viktoriia Obidina, who was separated from her daughter by the Russians during the evacuation from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, has posted on social media for the first time since she was liberated in a POW exchange.

Viktoriia spent 165 days in Russian captivity before being set free on 17 October.

Viktoriia took to Instagram to express her gratitude to everyone who waited for her return and supported her.

"165 days in captivity, and here it is – the much-awaited exchange. I am free... Safe and sound. I would like to dedicate this bouquet [Viktoriia’s post included a photo of a huge bunch of roses – ed.] to a beautiful person, Zlata Nekrasova. Zlata, thank you very much for your help!"

On Mother's Day, Russian troops separated Viktoriia Obidina from her 4-year-old daughter Alisa when they were evacuated from Azovstal.

The medic was placed in a filtration camp in Mariupol, while her daughter was evacuated to Zaporizhzhia by bus.

Viktoriia was freed from captivity, along with 107 other defenders of Ukraine, during the first all-female POW exchange on 17 October.

Earlier, Ukraine secured the release of 215 defenders of Mariupol, including Azov Regiment commanders, the combat medic Ptashka, the photographer Orest, the marine Mykhailo Dianov, and pregnant medic Mariana Mamonova .

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