“We can’t publish the precise quantity because it may have an effect on the state of affairs,” she stated.
“About 2,000 defenders of the Azovstal steelworks, each ladies and men, are nonetheless in captivity.”
Learn additionally: One other 140 Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity, together with defenders of Mariupol and Zmiinyy Island
Klempouz emphasised that folks want a while to “endure all the mandatory processes” after getting back from captivity.
“These are fairly particular person processes,” she stated.
Learn additionally: Russian invaders turning Mariupol seaport into navy base, says mayoral advisor
“It’s unattainable to find out a sure time for sure procedures, all of it will depend on the well being situation. On the whole phrases, it’s advisable to not hassle them for a month or a month and a half. And they need to be below the supervision of medical doctors with the care of their kin close by. These are particular person moments, as a result of many had been injured in Mariupol, and lots of defenders had their well being situations aggravated throughout captivity.”
Defenders of Mariupol in captivity
The defenders of Mariupol, after two months of city warfare with the numerically superior forces of the Russian invaders, discovered themselves surrounded on the territory of the Azovstal steelworks with a restricted provide of medication, meals, consuming water and ammunition. They had been lastly compelled to give up in mid-Might.
On Might 16, the commanders of the navy models stationed at Azovstal obtained an order from the highest navy management to save lots of the lives of their personnel.
The Ukrainian defenders left the territory of Azovstal over a number of days. The evacuation came about by way of the mediation of the United Nations and the Worldwide Committee of the Crimson Cross, which recorded the private knowledge of the Ukrainian navy.
Learn additionally: 50 Ukrainian defenders free of Russian captivity, some captured in Mariupol, Chornobyl NPP
Ukrainian troopers had been then despatched to a medical facility within the occupied city of Novoazovsk, in addition to to a prisoner-of-war camp within the occupied village of Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast.
In accordance with Ukrainian Deputy Protection Minister Hanna Malyar, there was no different option to maximize the survival of the Azovstal defenders.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on June 6 that greater than 2,500 defenders of Mariupol remained in Russian captivity.
The president stated all captured defenders of Mariupol ought to be returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory via the prisoner change process.
Learn additionally: Turkish media reveal new particulars of Medvedchuk’s swap for Azovstal commanders
Zelenskyy emphasised it is unnecessary for Russia to make use of torture in opposition to the defenders of Mariupol, since they’ve turn into “public prisoners,” although reviews from freed defenders point out that Russians make widespread use of deprivation and torture methods.
Learn additionally: Ptashka, defender of Azovstal, strikes Ukrainians with efficiency of victory anthem in Kyiv
95 defenders from Azovstal had been launched as a part of a prisoner swap on June 29.
Learn additionally: Azovstal chapter proceedings start
On Sept. 21, Ukraine performed the biggest prisoner swap for the reason that starting of the Russian invasion in February. As many as 215 folks had been launched from Russian captivity, particularly 188 defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, together with Azov commanders, in addition to 10 foreigners.
Learn the unique article on The New Voice of Ukraine
