That’s what Azovstal did with Mariupol fighters

Emaciated in captivity

That’s what Azovstal did with the Mariupol commander

Sergei Volynsky is almost unrecognizable. The Ukrainian commander, who defended the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, is much lighter on his ribs in a recent photo than he was two months ago.

Published: 9:25 p.m

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Updated: 10:13 p.m

The Ukrainian Sergei Wolynski (30), nicknamed “Volyna”, stayed for months in the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. Until he surrendered along with other soldiers on May 16 and was captured by Russian forces.

Now an image has emerged showing how the 30-year-old commander of the 36th Marine Brigade has changed his appearance.

While Volynsky looks a lot stronger in a video from April 13, the 30-year-old has massively less on his ribs in the new photo, which was uploaded by various Russian Telegram channels on Tuesday. The man in black track pants is standing in front of a wall, holding a shovel and a broom. Next to him is another thin man with two buckets – he is also a Ukrainian soldier.

«Eat better here than during the fights»

It is not known what the rations were like in Russian captivity. Even during the time in the steel mill, Wolynski probably lost a lot of weight due to a lack of nutrition.

In an interview with the Russian Telegram channel «Milk Chronicles» on Monday he said: «I understand my situation, that I am a prisoner of war. To be honest, I eat better here than during the fights.” There was only 50 grams of grain per person per day. 186 people also had to share six to eight cans of lard, he says.

According to him, the fighters of the Azov regiment ate much better. However, he did not want to mess with the men who were in the majority. This information cannot be independently verified.

300 prisoners exchanged

According to their own statements, the Ukrainian army and the Russian side exchanged a total of almost 300 prisoners. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in Kyiv reported on Wednesday evening that 144 Ukrainian soldiers were free once more. It is the largest exchange of prisoners since the beginning of the war more than four months ago. The separatist leader Denis Puschilin, on the other hand, spoke of 144 pro-Russian and Russian fighters who had been released from Ukrainian captivity.

According to information from Kyiv, among the released Ukrainian soldiers are 95 fighters who defended the hard-fought steelworks. Another 43 of them are said to belong to the Azov regiment. It is not yet clear whether Wolynski will be there. (man)