Ukrainian prisoners of war are forced to live in inhumane conditions, endure brutal torture, and are deprived of contact with their families.

We must remember all the POWs and missing persons, support their families, and make every effort to ensure the world learns about their fate.

On August 25, Nataliia from the Brave Action team attended a demonstration in Kyiv. (See photos below.)

"FreeAzov" events such as these maintain engagement and constant focus on the issues, while providing support for both the families and the captives themselves. In captivity, prisoners of war are brainwashed to believe that they have been forgotten and that they are of no importance to anyone. When they are exchanged and return to Ukraine, they are pleasantly surprised that they are remembered and that their fate really does matter to Ukrainians and the world.

More than ten thousand Ukrainian soldiers are currently held in Russian captivity. In addition, tens of thousands of people, including both civilians and prisoners of war, are still considered missing according to the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

Special attention is drawn to the fate of approximately 900 fighters from the 12th Special Operations Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov, who have been in Russian captivity for almost two and a half years.

On September 21, 2022, Ukraine conducted a major prisoner exchange, during which 215 Ukrainian soldiers were freed, including 108 fighters from "Azov," among them their commanders.

The next exchanges of "Azov" fighters occurred two long years later, on September 13 and 14, 2024. As a result of these exchanges, 38 servicemen were returned.

To expedite the process of freeing the fighters, on June 1, 2022, the families of the defenders of Azovstal established the Association of "Azovstal" Defenders’ Families. In July 2022, they launched the project "Finally you’re home," providing desperately needed humanitarian and psychological assistance to those released from captivity. Further, an important part of the Association's activities is organizing the "FreeAzov" demonstrations.

It can be assumed that the effectiveness of "FreeAzov" events is minimal. However, they carry deep meaning. They remind the world about this special group of captives and, at the same time, remind us that tens of thousands of Ukrainians are being held in brutal captivity by the Russian aggressor.

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To learn more or support the activities of the Association of "Azovstal" Defenders’ Families, you can follow this link: https://www.azovstalfamilies.com/en