Beloved boyfriend of former prisoner of war Mariana Checheliuk brought back from Russian captivity – photos

Vladyslav Andrianov, a 28-year-old Azov fighter and the boyfriend of Mariupol police officer Mariana Checheliuk who was also held captive, has come home from Russian captivity. Andrianov survived a Russian terrorist attack in Olenivka, and the Russians illegally sentenced him to 25 years in prison last year.

Source: Mariana Checheliuk on Instagram Stories

Details: "He is home," Mariana wrote about her beloved boyfriend on her Instagram.

In total, 95 defenders were brought back to Ukraine on 18 October, 34 of whom were Azov fighters.

Checheliuk herself was brought back to Ukraine as part of the prisoner swap on 31 May 2024.

Background:

• Mariana Checheliuk joined the National Police a few months before the full-scale invasion, and was in Mariupol when the war broke out. Together with her younger sister, they were hiding from Russian attacks at Azovstal Steel Plant, and on 1 May they tried to leave through the green corridor.
• However, when the Russians found out about Mariana's profession, they took her to the Donetsk detention centre. She was held in a penal colony in Olenivka and later in the Russian city of Taganrog.
• Throughout her Russian captivity, Mariana wore a black thread on her finger instead of a ring – it gave her strength and reminded her of her beloved.
• After returning home, Mariana attended weekly rallies in support of prisoners of war and reminded everyone of her Vladyslav.
• "My beloved Azov fighter, I am waiting for you. You are my heart, my air and my life. If I had the opportunity to be a prisoner of war instead of you, I would not hesitate to stay there," she wrote.

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