Five commanders captured at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol returned from Turkey with Volodimir Zelensky
Ukraine has returned to its homeland five defenders of "Azovstal" who were in Turkey after being released from Russian captivity following negotiations with the Turkish side.
President Volodimir Zelensky met the defenders at Istanbul airport and congratulated them on their return.
"I congratulate you! You are our heroes. I am very happy about your return to your homeland, Glory to Ukraine!" the Kiev leader said.
On the other hand, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Ria Novosti that the fighters' return to Ukraine is a violation of the deal by both the Turkish and Ukrainian sides.
On September 21, 2022, as part of the exchange with the Russian occupiers, it was possible to release 215 Ukrainian fighters, including the commanders of the "Azovstal" defenders. Viktor Medvedchuk, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, and 55 other Russian occupiers were then returned to Russia.
5 "Azov" commanders were in Turkey under the personal protection and security guarantees of the country's President Recep Tayp Erdogan.
At the time, Zelenski said that, according to the agreements, the five released "Azov" commanders would remain in Turkey until the end of the war.
The commanders, considered true heroes in Ukraine, led the defence of the port of Mariupol, the largest Ukrainian city captured by Russia during the invasion of the neighbouring country. Thousands of civilians were killed inside the city when Russian forces subjected Mariupol to a massive three-month siege. The Ukrainian military, hiding in tunnels and bunkers beneath the Azovstal plant, were eventually ordered by Kiev to surrender.
