Thousands of soldiers and other Ukrainians have gathered in Kiev to honor the memory of prisoners of war who died in an attack on a Russian prison in 2022. They are demanding that the government does more to achieve a prisoner exchange with Russia.
More than 50 prisoners of war died when a bomb exploded in a prison in the eastern Donetsk region at the end of July 2022. On Sunday, thousands of soldiers and ordinary Ukrainians gathered to honor the memory of the victims. At the same time, they urged Ukraine's government to work harder to get back those who are still imprisoned in Russia.
They must know that we are doing everything to get them released, said Sergeant Kyrylo Masalitin, who survived the explosion at the Olenivka prison.
About 900 soldiers who were besieged at the Azovstal steelworks when Russian troops captured Mariupol in May 2022 are still imprisoned. On Sunday, 300 soldiers from the Azov Regiment formed up to honor their comrades, reports AP. The soldiers recited a prayer before holding up red candles.
Russia has consistently claimed that the explosion at the Olenivka prison was caused by a Ukrainian projectile. But according to AP, which has interviewed several survivors, relatives, and investigators, there is evidence that Russian forces were behind the explosion. The news agency has also seen a UN analysis that draws the same conclusion.
The "Free Azov" campaign has become a vocal pressure group that holds weekly demonstrations in Kiev.
