Thousands of Ukrainians exchanged, but Azov defenders remain imprisoned

In May 2022, during a brutal siege of Mariupol, the Azov Brigade played a crucial role in defending the Azovstal steel plant, becoming a symbol of Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression. This battle was pivotal, allowing Ukrainian forces to gain critical time during the early months of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The heroes of the Azovstal defense were captured, and negotiations for their return have been fraught with challenges. Despite claims that they faced obstacles from Russia in these negotiations, some family members and supporters suspect that Ukrainian officials might not be fully committed to securing the return of these fighters. As of now, thousands of prisoners, including 455 from the Azov Brigade, have been returned, but many remain in captivity under dire conditions, with reports of torture and lack of basic human rights. Ukrainian representatives remark that the situation involves complexities beyond basic negotiations, leading to growing concern among the public regarding the fate of the remaining Azov fighters still held as prisoners in Russia.