Latest news with #DenysProkopenko
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Over half of Azov fighters returned to Ukraine, official says
A total of 1,279 of the approximately 2,500 Azov fighters held in Russian captivity as POWs have been returned to Ukraine since being captured, including 455 from the Azov Brigade, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said on May 28. The confirmed statistic, which includes soldiers in multiple units who fought to defend the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol, comes amid social media outcry criticizing Ukrainian authorities for failing to return certain captives, including Azov fighters, during the war's largest 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange, which concluded on May 25. "Behind each number is a human life, and no statistics can replace loved ones for individual families," Andrii Yusov, deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters told Radio Liberty on May 28. Ukrainian society has rallied for captured Azov fighters who defended the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol during the Russian siege of the port city in 2022. The battle, one of the most brutal of the entire war, is credited with buying time for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to prepare itself and receive international military aid against Russia's invasion during the initial phase of the war. Azovstal defenders were ordered to surrender to the encircling Russian forces after nearly two months of constant bombardment of the besieged plant. While hundreds of these fighters have been released since 2022, hundreds more remain in captivity. Colonel Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov National Guard Brigade, described the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange as a "mockery" due to the lack of fighters from the Azov Brigade, in a post on Facebook on May 25. "Ukraine is fighting for every one of its citizens. We are working under extremely difficult conditions amid the full-scale invasion, and the Mariupol garrison remains one of the top priorities for repatriation," Yusov said on May 25 in response to to the frustration seen on social media. Ukraine has long advocated for an "all-for-all" exchange, but Russia has so far rejected the proposal. President Volodymyr Zelensky, following the mass exchange, pledged to "bring back every single one of our people from Russian captivity." The three days of prisoner exchanges were negotiated by Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on May 16th, during the first direct talks between the two countries in three years. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 28 that Moscow has proposed June 2 as the date for the next round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. Read also: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine secures release of POWs from units excluded from all previous swaps
As part of the 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange with Russia, Ukraine has recovered soldiers from 46 military units that had previously seen none of their members returned, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POW) reported on May 26. "The return of fighters from these units has long been blocked by the Russian side for various reasons," the agency said in a statement, describing the outcome as a significant breakthrough. Of the 1,000 Ukrainian service members repatriated, over 300 had been held in Russian captivity since 2022. All those returned were soldiers or sergeants, many of whom had fought in the most intense areas of the front line, the agency added. The exchange — agreed during the May 16 peace talks in Istanbul — was carried out in three phases between May 23 and 25. It marked the largest single prisoner swap during the war and the only concrete result from the first direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow in nearly three years. The high-profile operation has drawn a mix of relief and frustration in Ukraine. Colonel Denys Prokopenko, commander of the 1st Azov Corps, criticized the exchange as a "mockery," noting that no Azov fighters were included in the release. Thousands of civilians and military families have spent two years campaigning for the release of Azov servicemen captured during the siege of Mariupol in 2022. The omission has sparked renewed anger among Ukrainians who view Azovstal defenders as national heroes. The then Azov Brigade's last stand at the Azovstal steel plant is widely credited with delaying Russia's early advance, giving Ukraine time to mobilize and secure international military support. Andrii Yusov, military intelligence spokesperson and deputy head of Ukraine's POW Coordination Headquarters, emphasized that Kyiv had no influence over which individuals Russia chose to release during the process. "We could not influence the list. Russia handed over who it was ready to hand over, and Ukraine as well," Yusov said on May 26. While Ukraine has previously conducted smaller prisoner exchanges, often with the involvement of third-party mediators, the Istanbul-negotiated swap was unprecedented in scale and complexity. Kyiv has long advocated for an "all-for-all" exchange, but Moscow has so far rejected the proposal. Read also: Chaos to coordination: The evolution of POW swaps in the Russia-Ukraine war We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Largest-ever Ukrainian-Russian prisoner swap comes under fire for lacking Azov fighters, civilians
As Kyiv completed its largest prisoner exchange of the war on May 25, exchanging 1,000 Ukrainian POWs for 1,000 Russians, some spoke out on social media to criticize authorities for failing to return certain captives. Colonel Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov National Guard Brigade, described the exchange as a "mockery" due to the lack of fighters from the Azov Brigade, in a post on Facebook. In the past, Ukrainian authorities have said that Russia has pushed back against their requests to return Azov fighters as part of earlier exchanges. Ukrainian society has rallied for captured Azov fighters who defended the Azovstal Steel Plant in Mariupol during the Russian siege of the port city in 2022. The battle, one of the most brutal of the entire war, is credited with buying time for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to prepare itself and receive international military aid against Russia's invasion during the initial phase of the war. Azovstal defenders were ordered to surrender to the encircling Russian forces after nearly two months of constant bombardment of the besieged plant. While hundreds of these fighters have been released since 2022, hundreds more remain in captivity. Prokopenko said that Ukraine needs to change its tactics, writing, "There are options, we just need to adapt and start looking for new ways and configurations. Because not a single Azov resident among 1,000 exchanged people is a shame for our entire state." Separately, writer and journalist Stanislav Aseyev criticized the exchange on Facebook for failing to include civilians who have spent more than eight years in captivity. "The list of hostages that I handed over to President (Volodymyr) Zelensky back in January 2020 has remained a list," Aseyev wrote. "The vast majority of these people are in the 32nd maximum security colony in Makiivka, where they were taken after Isolation and from other prisons. Some of these people actively helped our special services," he added. "I don't know if there is anyone in the history of this war for 11 years who has been in prison longer," he added. Zelensky, following the exchange pledged to "bring back every single one of our people from Russian captivity." Ukraine has long advocated for an "all-for-all" exchange, but Russia has so far rejected the proposal. The three days of prisoner exchanges were negotiated by Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on May 16th, during the first direct talks between the two countries in three years. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on May 23 that Moscow will convey its peace terms to Kyiv immediately after the completion of the prisoner exchange. While Moscow's list of conditions have yet to be revealed, Russia has repeatedly reiterated maximalist demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Whatever foreign politicians say, the front line should always have the last word, says Azov Brigade commander
On the Day of the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, National Guard Azov Brigade commander Denys Prokopenko has commented on statements by Western politicians, emphasising that the heroism of Ukrainian defenders, who have been fighting against Russia for 11 years, should inspire Ukrainians and prevent them from despairing, as the front line should always have the last word. [Heavenly Hundred – participants of the Revolution of Dignity, who were killed by the security officers and their mercenaries – ed.] Source: Prokopenko on X (Twitter) Quote: "It has always been this way: only the brave are respected, only the influential are listened to, and only the strong are considered important… For eleven years, we have relied on half-measures to fight a war against a country with an advantage in population and resources. Moreover, for three years, Ukraine has endured the full-scale invasion by one of the world's most combat-effective military forces. The daily feats of Ukrainian soldiers should inspire us and prevent us from despairing despite any statements made by foreign politicians, analysts, and experts. The front line should always have the last word… Nothing in today's information environment should divert us from the path we have chosen. The same goes for those who eagerly began preparing for political games and illusory elections – under no circumstances should Ukrainians pay attention to them. All focus and strength must go to the front line. Desperation arises when circumstances force people to stop fighting for their cause. But that is not about us. We hold our lines, and we destroy the occupiers!" Details: Prokopenko stated that despite Ukraine facing challenges and much work remaining ahead, the country has already secured its place in history through its resistance to Russian occupation, the courage and strength of its military, strong horizontal public relations and the skill of its diplomats. "This is where the real Ukrainian agency comes from. And this is what vexes those who perceive a strong and independent Ukraine as a thorn in their side," Prokopenko writes. The commander added that Ukrainians once believed in empty promises, giving up their nuclear weapons and critically weakening the country's defence capabilities. Meanwhile, Ukraine's enemies have worked since 1991 to keep the country weak, fragmented, toothless and dependent: "In 2013, Ukraine began to awaken and build its muscles, finally recognising the need to assert its agency." Quote: "It would be naive to assume that building this agency would be painless, and expecting someone else to pave the way to this goal would be an even greater mistake." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
