Not a single Azov fighter. Not a single Azov fighter was among the thousand Ukrainian prisoners of war exchanged over the last three days. At the same time, the bastard who had asked his prison guards for a knife to "cut the ones from Azov" has returned home. This feels like mockery — a cruel joke at the expense of those who have been held in Russian captivity for more than three years under the harshest conditions and inhumane pressure. A jeer at their families, loved ones, and brothers-in-arms. A show of derision towards those who were given guarantees — those who have an absolute right to be prioritized for exchange, because they went into captivity not at their own will, but by order of the High Command. Just days ago, Ukraine marked the third anniversary of the day when the Mariupol garrison left Azovstal, hoping that the fighters of the 12th Azov Brigade would be included in the announced 1,000-for-1,000 exchange. Those expectations failed. I will never believe the nonsense about Russia's reluctance to release Azov fighters being the sole reason for their repeated absence from exchanges. If that were truly the case, neither I nor other Azov fighters would have returned from captivity. That is not the reason. If the established mechanism has stopped working, then expecting a different result every time is madness. The strategy must change. If the Russians refuse to exchange Azov fighters for their regular soldiers, we must find alternatives — offer them someone more valuable than a contracted soldier from Omsk. Ukraine is packed with Russian agents — all our special services know this very well. The only thing they need is an order. I am confident the Russians would be far more interested in the priests of the Moscow Patriarchate who openly work for Russian special services than in the soldiers Russia floods Ukrainian soil with. At the same time, Ukraine should work on its engagement in the exchange processes between our Western allies and Russia. We have unique experience, knowledge, and information that is invaluable to the Western world. These too can become part of our exchange leverage. There are always options — we simply need to adapt and seek out new paths and configurations. Because not a single Azov fighter among the 1,000 exchanged POWs is a disgrace to the entire state. I do not believe that our government is interested in bringing Azov service members home, while the same people continue to ineffectively manage prisoner exchanges for the fourth year in a row.

Another monster with the blood of thousands of Ukrainians on his hands — both civilians and service members — has paid the price. Gurtsiev was responsible for the destruction of Mariupol from the air. Round-the-clock bombardments and missile strikes turned the city into one mass grave, with only faint traces remaining of the beautiful and peaceful Ukrainian city it once was. I would advise Russian soldiers carrying out nightly strikes on Ukrainian cities to take note of what awaits them in the future. For killing Ukrainians, this bastard was appointed a state official in Stavropol — but even that did not save his despicable life. Neither did his awards, regime support, nor his confidence in impunity. Inevitable retribution found him, even deep in the rear. Those who give and carry out orders to kill and maim our prisoners of war, destroy our cities, and kidnap our children have names and surnames. We need those to identify the perpetrators, find them, and punish them. Afterward, their names will be erased, leaving behind only numbers — the terms of their sentences or the dates of their elimination.

2 years ago, a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops began. Azov met the enemy in Mariupol. We have been preparing for this battle for 8 years. Every day we did our best to ensure that the individual training of each Azov soldier and the cohesion of all sections, platoons, companies, battalions, and separate units were at the highest level. The combat experience gained during the liberation of Mariupol and Shyrokyne, in Maryinka, Ilovaisk, at the Svitlodarsk bulge and other areas of the JFO front was carefully analyzed. We thoroughly analyzed each battle, worked on our mistakes and constantly demanded better results from ourselves. History has proven that the path we chose was the only right one among all other options. Exhaustive training, iron discipline and the spirit of brotherhood allowed Mariupol to withstand almost 3 months of complete encirclement. Trained and prepared both physically and psychologically, Azov fighters fought for every street, every house and, most importantly, for every life that the occupiers tried to destroy. Today we emphasize once again that the war requires each of us to make difficult and responsible decisions. There are still many great and fateful battles ahead of us. The only chance to emerge victorious and preserve Ukraine is to take personal responsibility to get in line, and prepare while there is still time and opportunity. Right now, thousands of our soldiers on the front line are making superhuman efforts to ensure that those in the rear can acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. I am proud of each and every one of our soldiers who are now standing under a barrage of enemy fire, repelling wave after wave of the invaders' attacks, not retreating under the onslaught of the enemy invasion, counterattacking and holding our lines against all odds. I am honored to be your commander and to stand shoulder to shoulder with the bravest warriors of our time. The war has been going on for 10 years. Azov has been at the forefront from the very beginning. And it will remain so until our victory.

They want to convince us that our country does not belong to us. That the outcome is predetermined and everything has already been decided for us. That someone will reach an agreement and everything will return to normal. They try to break Ukrainians by creating the illusion that we are all doomed and that further fighting is pointless. Remember: it was the same exactly three years ago. But back then, Ukraine endured despite all forecasts, estimates, and efforts to persuade us to capitulate. We fought back with a determination that surprised both our enemies and our allies. That was the work of our warriors, who stopped enemy columns, often lacking adequate training but knowing why they fought and what was at stake. That was the work of thousands of Ukrainians who took up arms for the first time on February 24, 2022. The survival of our state was not the result of international agreements but the outcome of the titanic daily efforts of thousands of fighters on the front lines. While besieged by Russian forces in Mariupol, we could not have cared less about those who considered Ukraine doomed to defeat, waiting for us to give up our territories and our independence. Each of us carried out our duty decisively and selflessly, despite analysts' skepticism and attempts to sow despair among Ukrainians. In fierce battles against enemy forces that outnumbered us, we knew that the fate of our country was not decided in distant high-level offices but right there — on the battlefield. And we proved to be right. Three years later, we still hold that belief. Looking back at the difficult journey we have made, we realize we have much to be proud of, and we know exactly who and what we are fighting for. Over these three years, Ukraine has remained independent thanks to its military, reinforced by the unwavering support of volunteers and citizens who support it financially. Therefore, today, the fate of our country still depends on those whose efforts hold the front lines. The courage of Ukrainian soldiers is envied by desk generals in every army in the world. The bravery and selflessness of Ukraine’s resistance are honored by millions. A new military doctrine, a new geopolitical reality, and a new chapter in history are being written in the trenches — where Ukrainian soldiers bring peace closer with every precise strike on enemy targets.

The 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov spent the whole of 2024 at the frontline. For most of the year, we continued performing our combat mission in the Lyman sector. Afterward, the unit was ordered to urgently relocate to the area near Toretsk, where the enemy had a breakthrough. At that time, the situation there was critical. The titanic efforts of Azov fighters and service members of the adjacent units made it possible to hold the entrusted section of the frontline and inflict maximum losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy, making it lose its offensive capacity and its wish to perform active offensive actions. Over the course of 365 days, our soldiers, sergeants, and officers withstood the Russians’ continuous assaults, counterattacked, liberated the occupied territories, replenished the exchange fund, and evacuated civilians from the frontline areas. I thank every Azov service member for their courage, bravery, and selflessness. This year, our Brigade's personnel's professional and coherent actions resulted in heavy losses for the occupiers, both in personnel and equipment. In 2025, we will see more of those. However, every successful operation has its price at war. Every repelled enemy attack and every liberated meter of Ukrainian land are paid for by our fighters' sweat, blood, and lives. Their decisive actions are the reason Ukrainians can celebrate the New Year in free Ukrainian cities. 850 Azov fighters are deprived of this opportunity. For over two and a half years, they have stayed in Russian captivity under formidable conditions. The joint efforts of various agencies allowed 169 of our brothers-in-arms to return home in 2024. Next year, we will keep doing everything we can to get our captive fighters out of the hell of Russian prisons. This year, Azov also managed to overcome a years-long prohibition on receiving weapons from the United States of America. However, bureaucratic delays slowed down the effect of that crushing blow to Russian propaganda. Azov personnel and I hope the Brigade will finally receive the well-deserved weapons in 2025. And the last thing. These days, the Ukrainian and global media environments are filled with confidence about the end of the war in Ukraine in 2025. This belief harms both the front and the rear. It gives people a vague illusion and makes them calm down and relax in a situation when relaxing means losing our state and our independence. If the forecasts prove wrong, our society will be deeply disappointed, which will impact the country’s defense capacities. That must never happen. Moreover, no security guarantee Ukraine might receive means the Ukrainians can make others responsible for the country's defense. We have already had the notorious example of the Budapest Memorandum, which lulled Ukrainian society by reassuring it that signatures on paper would guarantee the security of our borders. But even if the hostilities stop in 2025, the war will not disappear. It will look at us through the eyes of our fallen brothers-in-arms, it will remind us about itself with the ruins of Ukrainian cities, it will remain close by in the tears of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian families who lost what was most precious to them, and it will loom over us with the mere fact of the enemy’s existence at our borders, who will never give up its intention to occupy Ukraine. That means we have no choice but to continue the military reform, develop our defense industry, and get ourselves ready. Because next time, the occupiers will return even stronger and better prepared.

Azovstal, 2022.

"Should you shout "Glory to Ukraine" for one more time, and I'll call in the troops and crush you all into the asphalt! There is no such country as Ukraine!" Those were the last words I had heard from that scum. Every single one of them came back to him in a form of TNT equivalent. The search for and punishment of those criminals who cannot be held accountable through international tribunals is a crucial task for the Ukrainian state and its security services. History provides numerous examples of torturers and murderers who did not succeed in hiding and enjoying a peaceful old age. This is what states that have dignity and put the lives of their citizens first do. The enemy must feel constantly threatened not only on the frontline, but also in the rear. Those responsible for the torture and murder of our prisoners of war, those who give and carry out orders to destroy peaceful Ukrainian cities, the perpetrators and those in charge of the demonstrative execution of Azov soldiers in Olenivka must remember that none of their crimes will go unpunished. They have nowhere to run, and today they have seen it for themselves. We will never forgive the cowardly murder of 53 of our brothers-in-arms in Olenivka—men whom the enemy could not defeat on the battlefield, and all they could do was to blow up unarmed people in their sleep. We need to be prepared for the fact that punishing all those involved in war crimes is a complex and challenging process that may take a long time. Retribution will not be instantaneous. However, it is inevitable. The torturers will experience permanent tension, anxiety and fear. A year, two years or ten years will pass. But they will inevitably have to answer for their crimes. An ordinary Monday morning and a routine commute to work will turn out to be the last.

As a Ukrainian officer, I am happy for every Ukrainian released from captivity. As the commander of the Azov Brigade, I find it impossible to remain silent about the lives of my fighters. Today, Ukraine returned 150 service members home. I congratulate them and their families on the end of all the hardships of captivity. However, the hell of captivity continues for 848 service members of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, none of whom have been exchanged today. For almost 33 months, they have been held under inhumane conditions in Russian prisons, enduring the worst traditions of Soviet concentration camps. For almost three years, they have waited for the promised priority exchanges. The fighters of our brigade will not be able to rejoice at the return of their brothers-in-arms. Hundreds of Azov fighters' families will not be able to see their loved ones. Despite everything, Azov personnel continue to do their job every day and every hour, understanding the need to replenish the exchange fund and hoping to see familiar names during the next exchanges.

It has always been this way: only the brave are respected, only the influential are listened to, and only the strong are considered important. Since 1991, Ukraine's enemies have done everything in their power to make our country weak, fragmented, toothless, and dependent. In 2013, Ukraine began to awaken and build its muscles, finally recognizing the need to assert its agency. 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. 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 a 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 frontline should always have the last word. Of course, we have not succeeded in every area, and much work remains ahead. Indeed, we put our trust in empty promises and gave away our nuclear weapons, critically weakening the country’s defensive capabilities. However, Ukraine has already achieved the impossible. Ukraine’s resistance to Russian occupation, the courage and strength of its military, our strong horizontal public relations, and our diplomats’ skills have already secured a place in history for our country. 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. 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 frontline. 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!

Today, 11 service members of the 12th Azov Brigade returned home from Russian captivity. They endured extreme trials lasting nearly three years: 86 days defending Mariupol, fierce fighting at the limits of human endurance, captivity, prisons, interrogations, and torture. Yet, they did not give up and emerged from that hell victorious. I congratulate everyone who can finally see and embrace their families today, those who will spend the winter holidays with their loved ones and not under prison guards’ watch. Thank you for your courage and strength of will. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our Brigade's fighters, who have captured 68 militants in the Toretsk sector, as well as the work of other Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine units, who replenish the exchange fund across all frontline sectors. Your contribution to the return of our prisoners of war home is immense, and I thank you for your efforts. I would also like to express my gratitude to the President of Ukraine and his team, the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the Association of "Azovstal" Defenders' Families, and everyone who works every day to bring our prisoners of war back to Ukraine.

Today, six service members of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov returned home as part of a prisoner-of-war exchange. Strong, brave, and unbreakable — I welcome you back to your native soil. Thank you for your feat. Thank you for standing strong. The return of prisoners of war is made possible by the collective efforts of many — both those who replenish the exchange fund in fierce battles and those contributing through coordinated work, including representatives of uniformed agencies, diplomats, and human rights advocates. I am grateful to our fighters on the front lines, the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, and the Association of Azovstal Defenders' Families, as well as to all the countries facilitating these exchanges. For nearly three years, 842 Azov fighters have remained in captivity. Each of us must do everything in our power to bring them home.

One world-renowned French writer and volunteer believed that being human means feeling responsible for what happens around you. Another famous German thinker and volunteer wrote, "It is important to note that it is precisely the most vigorous life that sacrifices itself most willingly." These two quotations perhaps best capture the essence of Ukrainian volunteers — those who chose to fight rather than flee. There is no greater happiness than defending what is dear to you, taking responsibility for the fate of your country, and making your own decisions about your life while standing at the epicenter of historic events for your people. I am proud that Azov has been a stronghold of the volunteer spirit in Ukraine since its inception. Today, the unit remains true to its origins. No modern weapon frightens the occupiers more than disciplined, well-trained, and motivated fighters — those who made the conscious choice to exchange the comfort of their homes and the calm of rear towns for the steel thunderstorms of battles for their motherland’s freedom; those who safeguarded Ukraine’s independence in 2014 and again in 2022, driven by their hearts, even when lacking proper training; those who have become true military professionals today. I congratulate every Ukrainian volunteer on our day and thank you for the choice you have made, for the responsibility you have taken, and for standing your ground despite the hardships of this difficult path. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Ukrainian volunteers!

Nearly two years after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukrainians are beginning to ask themselves: "How long will this war last?". The uncertainty and the chance that the fighting will continue for years are weighing on civilians and sometimes even on the military. The answer is simple: Russia will never let Ukraine go from its realm of geopolitical influence. The war will continue as long as we are able to resist. Any "truce" or "agreement" is just another time out to accumulate resources for a further offensive. Our ability to mobilize all the necessary resources at a critical moment and work on the verge of extraordinary capabilities should not gradually turn into initiative-free stability. Unfortunately, many people in Ukraine and abroad still refuse to accept the ruthless reality as it is. Some try to convince themselves that everything is about to end on its own. Others, on the contrary, are petrified at the mere thought that peace in Ukraine may take almost a decade to reach. In addition, Russian informational and psychological attacks aimed at demoralizing the Ukrainian society are pouring fuel on the fire: they say that Ukraine will not be able to withstand a long marathon, the army and volunteers will get tired and break down. Azov has been at war for ten years. For us, it all started long before February 24, 2022. Since then, we have learned to ignore fatigue and not give in to despair; we have realized that perhaps not only our youth, but our entire lives will be spent on the frontlines of the war for Ukraine's independence; we have realized that we have no other path but the one we have consciously chosen. The best cure for despair, panic, or apathy caused by reflections on the timing of this war is active involvement in the historical processes that are taking place here and now. We do not know the exact day, month or year when we will win and be able to return to our families. But we are confident that no matter how long the war lasts, we have our trusted brothers-in-arms by our side, love for our country in our hearts, and weapons in our hands. And all this will not let us retreat: neither today, nor in a year or ten years. Those who are not yet serving in the Ukrainian Defense Forces must make a deliberate choice: to pick up arms and join the ranks of the military, or to become a reliable backbone for the army, working to support the country's defense potential. This is a long war. It can last for years. It depends on us what we do daily to bring our victory closer.

None of those who gave guarantees to the soldiers of the Mariupol garrison when they left Azovstal's territory have fulfilled their promises. Preserving the life of every serviceman in the garrison, not using torture and making exchanges as soon as possible are the primary agreements that the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Russian side and the military and political leadership of Ukraine guaranteed us in May 2022. However, the Russians, with their typical perfidy, disregarded all these points. Their violation of the laws and customs of warfare culminated in the execution of 53 unarmed Azov POWs in Olenivka. 2 years ago, in their sleep, they were burned to death in a terrorist attack organized by Russians in a barrack of the colony. More than a hundred of our brothers-in-arms were injured. Modern history knows no similar examples of such inhuman cruelty against prisoners of war. On the day when the whole country bows its heads to the Azov fighters who were killed in Olenivka, I have only one question: have other parties who guaranteed the safety of the lives of the Mariupol garrison personnel made every effort, worked out all possible options and used the necessary levers of influence on the Russians to ensure that the exchanges promised in 3-4 months after exiting of Azovstal took place? Azov's job is to destroy the enemy and replenish the exchange fund. Our unit has been successfully fulfilling this task in the Kreminna sector for a year. Often against all odds. Do those who voluntarily took on these duties and those who are legally obliged to do so do their job? It's hard to put into words what one day in Russian captivity is like. There is no time. Constant torture, starvation, the demonstrative execution in Olenivka, illegal trials and life imprisonment. Soon there will be no one to exchange.

Nonsense. That's the first word that comes to mind in the context of the current ban on the transfer of Western weapons to Azov. Few people in Ukraine know about it, and almost no one speaks about it publicly. It's time to pay attention to this Kafkaesque situation and make it public. Since 2017, a number of US Consolidated Appropriation Bills have contained the following amendment: "None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to provide weapons, training, or other assistance to the Azov Battalion". In 2015, Congressman John Conyers Jr, a Democrat from Michigan, proposed this amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. The congressman made the proposal, noting that Foreign Affairs magazine, as well as "other leading media outlets", had characterized the Azov battalion as "openly neo-Nazi" and "fascist". According to media reports, the Department of Defense subsequently called for the proposed amendment to be withdrawn, arguing that aid to Azov should already be prohibited by the Leahy Act, which states that "no assistance shall be provided to ... any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights." At the time, the ban on providing arms to Azov was not included in the final bill. However, in 2017, this amendment was already included in the text of the Appropriations Bill. It is also present in this year's Defense Appropriation Bill. It is noteworthy that the Leahy Law, which requires that incidents of human rights violations be reviewed on the basis of specific facts, was not applied to Azov, and the decision to adopt the amendment was primarily based on the characterization of Azov by Western media, which apparently formed their attitude towards the unit under the influence of Moscow propaganda. All of the main accusations against Azov have been repeatedly refuted on the basis of facts on the Internet and in the media. In particular, on azovcontrafake.com/ Does it make sense to point out once again that the very wording "Azov battalion" used in the law actually refers to a non-existent unit? At the end of 2014, Azov ceased to be a battalion and became a separate special forces detachment. Since February 2023, our unit has been the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine. Not a battalion, not a regiment. It is a brigade. It is this amendment, which wanders from one Appropriation Bill to another from year to year, that is the reason why in 2022, during the defense of Mariupol, Azov did not have the modern Western weapons. At that time, we were holding back the enemy's superior forces in the besieged Mariupol, using the extremely limited resources we had, and we showed extremely high efficiency. How many lives could have been saved and what would have been the results of the city's defense if, in addition to high motivation, cohesion and professionalism, Azov had modern armored vehicles and artillery systems at its disposal? Even after 2022, when it seemed that the world had finally learned the truth about Azov, we still cannot send our soldiers to most of the leading Western military exercises and do not receive the necessary weapons that our allies provide to Ukraine. This problem is partly solved by volunteers and conscious Ukrainians who do their best to help the unit: for example, the volunteer project "Tylovyky" raised 77 million UAH for 17 FV432 Bulldog armored personnel carriers for the Azov Brigade. But the war demands more. Now the entire Ukraine is experiencing what Azov has been dealing with since 2014. Unfortunately, Azov has become not only the first unit in the Ukrainian army to implement Western military standards, but also one of the first and main targets of Moscow's propaganda. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, Moscow has accused Azov of "neo-Nazism" and sought to destroy it. In 2022, the Russians wanted to "denazify" the whole of Ukraine, labeling the entire nation as "Nazis." 10 years ago, no one helped Azov resist the influence of the Kremlin's multibillion-dollar propaganda machine. Today, the whole country is in the same situation. And just as Azov has been experiencing for 10 years, Ukraine may now face a lack of Western assistance. I emphasize that the very existence of such amendments and prohibitions not only prevents Azov from performing its combat missions more effectively, but is a blow to the defense capability of our country, tarnishes Ukraine's image on the international level and is humiliating for the entire Ukrainian army. There is no evidence or confirmation of the accusations that Russian propaganda has been spreading about Azov for 10 years. If there were, delegations of Azov fighters would not have been received in the United States, in European countries, and in Israel. Azov members would not have held meetings with representatives of the U.S. Congress and human rights organizations. They would not have spoken at the UN, the Council of Europe, or at the best Western universities. They would not have given interviews to the world's leading media and would not have participated in panel discussions at major military conferences. This is the absurdity of the situation: Azov is being welcomed at the highest level throughout the Western world, but still not given weapons. Azov is used to overcoming difficulties on its own. We were the first unit in Ukraine to adopt NATO standards, and we did it on our own initiative. Without Western weapons, we have become one of the most capable units in the country in 10 years. Our fighters are returning to the ranks after Russian captivity, fighting the enemy and fulfilling all the tasks set by the command. No obstacles will stop us on our way. However, justice demands answers. How many more refutations of the Kremlin's lies do we have to provide before politicians in the West finally open their eyes to the truth? How long will a structural unit of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, subordinated to the military leadership of the state, be stigmatized by such humiliating amendments? And most importantly, how many more Ukrainian soldiers, fighters of our brigade, who are defending not only the freedom and independence of Ukraine, but also the entire free Western world from the real, unimagined Nazis of today, must die and be wounded because of the lack of necessary modern Western weapons, so that Azov is finally removed from the Appropriations Bill and all "black lists"?

Two years ago, we received an order from the country's top military and political leadership to stop defending Mariupol and surrender from Azovstal’s territory. Prior to that, after a round of difficult negotiations with the Russian side, we reached an agreement to evacuate civilians from Azovstal steel plant. Hundreds of people, residents of Mariupol, who had taken refuge on the territory of the plant, were rescued. All the civilians who were hiding from enemy bombardment at Azovstal survived. The last civilian left the plant on May 7, 2022. After that, the Mariupol garrison continued to hold the defense until the relevant order from the higher command. The defense of Mariupol saved Ukraine. The price of this salvation was the lives of our soldiers who died in the city battles and as a result of the terrorist attack in Olenivka, and the freedom of hundreds of our brothers-in-arms who have been in Russian captivity for 2 years. Two years have passed. Two years of resistance by more than 900 soldiers of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, who saved Ukraine with their bold actions and are now in Russian captivity. Their names are not forgotten. Today, every battle, every shot and every step we take is aimed at one thing — bringing the captured Azov men home. And until this happens, we will not stop fighting. We will bring everyone back. And we will liberate everyone. #FREEAZOV

Some fans of Azov have created a great website in English with a detailed analysis of all the Russian myths about the unit. The site contains a lot of facts, photos and videos that completely destroy the Kremlin's propaganda. Check it out and share it! azovcontrafake.com/

Ukrainians always return their debts. However, do Ukrainians always keep their word and return their citizens who are in captivity? Putin needed to reduce the pressure inside his country and save his face by returning the conscripts who were captured in the Kursk region. Those responsible for the exchange on the Ukrainian side, according to a soviet tradition, had to organize a media “victory” before the holiday. This formula did not find any place for Azov POWs who have been waiting for the promised exchanges for more than 2 years. This is despite the fact that, in Ukraine, there is a colossal request from society for the return of those who in Mariupol in 2022 did everything to ensure that Ukraine continued to exist and today celebrated its Independence Day, not a “day of national unity”. This is despite the fact that the captured Russians themselves asked to exchange them for Azov fighters. This is despite the fact that the Ukrainian negotiating team had tremendous leverage during this exchange, being able to act from a position of strength. All this has not been utilized. In today's exchange, again, there are no Azov fighters. Precious opportunity and time have been lost. What are all the pompous words spoken today worth if none of the 900 loyal to Ukraine servicemen who are being treated the absolute worst in Russian captivity have been returned home? Ukraine's Independence Day should be first and foremost about gratitude. Gratitude to those who dedicated themselves to the defense of Ukraine. And certainly to those who saved Ukraine's independence by obeying orders in an utterly hopeless situation. In a complete encirclement, without sufficient weapons and medical supplies, against the enemy's many times superior forces. Ukraine has failed this test of gratitude today. The task has not been fulfilled. The next attempt will cost even more. As you fall asleep tonight in your comfortable homes, where there are no warders, interrogations and torture, think about whether you really understand what independence is and whether you realize the price we pay for it. This will not console the families of those who celebrated Independence Day in captivity for the third time today. It will not make the conditions of my brothers in arms in Russian prisons any better. But perhaps it will help you finally decide to fight for the Azov POWs during the next negotiations, as they fought for Ukraine's independence in Mariupol.

The photo was taken during negotiations on neutral territory between the Kommunalnyk enterprise and the Azovstal steel plant. May, 2022.

Following two exchanges that took place yesterday and today, 38 servicemen of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov returned home after more than two years in Russian captivity! Each of them went through extremely difficult challenges: first during the defence of Mariupol, and then in enemy captivity. They did not break down, did not betray their oath, survived, and will finally be able to hug their families and loved ones. As a commander, I congratulate every Azov fighter who has returned to his home country. Thank you for your courage and unbreakable spirit. You are an example of resilience and perseverance for all Ukrainians. I am grateful to the President of Ukraine and his team, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the Association of Families of Azovstal Defenders and all those who made every effort to make these exchanges happen. This is complex and time-consuming work that requires a lot of effort and strong will. But the result justifies everything. I hope that Azov servicemen will continue to be systematically included in the exchange lists. It is symbolic that today a new Azov structure, "Azov.Guidance", starts its work – @azov_suprovid As part of the Azov medical service, Azov Guidance will take care of the wounded soldiers of the brigade and those who have returned from captivity at all stages of treatment and rehabilitation, as well as organise burials and support the families of the fallen soldiers. It is this principle that has guided Azov's work for over 10 years – the lives and health of its personnel are of the utmost value. The unit continues to develop and improve its professionalism both on and off the battlefield.

Eleven years. This number represents colossal work, superhuman effort, and endless love for our homeland. Exhausting training and hard work on the front lines. Mountains of eliminated invaders and destroyed equipment. Evolution from a small volunteer group to one of the most combat-effective units in the world. We have accomplished all of this so that Ukraine may live. This is why we consciously chose to leave behind our comfortable, safe lives and dedicate ourselves to military service. I am happy that my life journey led me to Azov 11 years ago, and I have not regretted it for a single minute. I am thankful to the personnel of the 12th Azov Brigade — every soldier, sergeant, and officer — for their service. Without your continuous, selfless work, there would be no Azov. You are Azov. With the establishment of the First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine, we remain a family — now even bigger. Each of you is entrusted with the most critical mission: to preserve Azov's identity and the principles that made the Azov phenomenon possible. I have no doubt that the new commander of the 12th Azov Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Hrishenkov, call sign "Puhach," will fulfill this mission to the highest standard, supported by the brigade's personnel. We have more than enough work ahead: to bring home all of our captive brothers-in-arms, to fight the enemy with even greater ardor, to add to the unit's combat glory, and to continue improving. Glory to Azov! Glory to Ukraine!

Recently, there has been a lot of speculation regarding the topic of defense line fortifications: "The money is being stolen!" "There is no equipment!" "We’re lacking resources!" "We’re lacking people!" What we are truly lacking are brains and skills. Over the past year, our brigade had to carry out stabilization actions in the Lyman and Toretsk sectors. In three instances, we crushed the enemy, forcing them to lose their initiative and offensive capabilities. We halted the enemy's advance into our defenses (even in areas with unprepared positions). Afterward, we created enabling conditions: we counterattacked and liberated the previously occupied territories. Of course, there are sections of the frontline where everyone is sitting on their hands. There are also cases where soldiers are forced to take up defense in "litterbox" positions, which leaves them no chance of avoiding injury within hours (and I am not even talking about evacuation). Afterward, we hear pompous reports about the "lack of people". Although the needed strongpoint was dug and covered a long time ago in the neighboring tree line, now we "lack people". In fact, that is not the core issue. Three times, when taking over a defense area, we found that the problem was far deeper and more complex than simply a shortage of manpower or technical resources. In one of the cases, we replaced a mix of "stillborn brigade"-type units. They had been subjected to linear assaults by VDV regiments with powerful artillery support (FPV drones and drone-dropped munitions were not as mainstream at that time). In this situation, I would just recommend not to form brigades like that anymore. In the second case, I literally advised one of the brigade commanders to backfill the nonsensical strongpoints, but he would not listen. Soon after, the positions were lost and became excellent cover for the enemy. In the third case, there was no defense SYSTEM in place as such. That was back in 2023–2024. Now, it seems like we have the equipment, the resources, and even hire construction companies. But something is still going wrong! So what is the problem?! The answer is simple. The officers stopped thinking. Either they were never taught how to think or were "thought for" by people who never bother to conduct reconnaissance of terrain within a cannon shot range from the defense line! Even with resources available, there will be no resilient defense without understanding the basics of how to organize and construct it (in other words, WHERE AND HOW to dig). Soon, the enemy will turn those resources to ashes and they will not serve their purpose in protecting and saving the lives of our personnel, while the imaginary defense line will turn into an open house. I would be happy to welcome proactive officers and personally hold instructional and methodological classes on defense line fortifications and organization of defensive combat based on our own examples. Your people depend on you, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Contact me via direct messages.

As of today, the Russian Federation has violated every norm of the Geneva Conventions. All possible forms of torture are being applied to the Azov prisoners of war. Our captive brothers-in-arms are subjected to severe physical injuries, tortured with electricity and water, tormented with hunger and thirst. In addition to physical mutilation, the goal is always psychological trauma. The typical appearance of a Ukrainian POW returning from Russian captivity is emaciated, at least a third lighter than his own weight, with chronic diseases, injuries and wounds that have not healed properly. Azov has become a nightmare for the Russians in Mariupol, disrupting their plans for a blitz "special operation" against the sovereignty of Ukraine. In retaliation, our people in captivity have been feeling their wrath every day for almost two years — in torture and humiliation. The most significant episode is the organized terrorist attack by the Russians in the Olenivka colony, during which the most massive public execution of prisoners of war in the entire history of the Russian-Ukrainian war was carried out. In addition to committing a war crime and failing to provide medical assistance to the victims, some seriously wounded fighters have still not been approved for exchange. "Potemkin villages" is the best metaphor to describe Russian state institutions. "Elections" lacking in alternatives, "courts" without justice, law enforcement to protect against its own people, prisons to execute opponents, and intimidation of those who disagree. This is how the Moscow political tradition has worked since its inception. Currently in Russia, surreal "trials" of Azov representatives are underway, aimed at improving Russia's position in the prisoner exchange process. In the cynical enemy coordinate system, the "trials" of Azov fighters increase their already high value in negotiations with Ukraine to the extent that regular exchanges become impossible. The unit, which has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate high effectiveness on the battlefield, is deliberately discredited for Moscow in the usual way. Most of the indicative executions in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics are characterized by the scenario of accusing Azov prisoners of killing civilians and shelling civilian residences without any evidence or right for defense. Instead, in the Russian Federation most of our brothers-in-arms are "tried" under the article on "participation in a terrorist organization". These are public symbolic trials that have nothing to do with the letter of the law and are intended to punish the most devoted and courageous Ukrainian fighters for their love of their country. Moscow's tyranny is cruelly punishing heroes for their courageous resistance to its expansionist ambitions. Every Azov fighter who defended Mariupol and fell into enemy hands was fighting precisely against the expansion of the Kremlin's living space, which brings with it all the "charms" of the Russian order — from death camps to fake justice. Naturally, one would like to believe that all those responsible for the ruined city of half a million people, the killed civilians, and the unprecedented cruelty towards the Azov fighters will be justly punished under civilized law. But we are far from fulfilling such a scenario, and the only weapon and answer Azov has left is the fight we put up against the enemy on the front — for all the fallen, for all the tortured, for all the enslaved and "sentenced" by the barbaric regime of savages.

Fallen Brothers-in-Arms' Remembrance Day. It is a tradition of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov that the unit adheres to even today, in times of intense combat. The day when we light the flames in memory of our brothers and sisters-in-arms who were killed in action while performing their sacred duty or tortured to death in enemy captivity. It is a day when those whose names are forever in our memory and our hearts seem to stand next to us in one line. The spilled blood of warriors outweighs everything. The heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of their homeland are the real Ukraine. In the moments of the most difficult trials, we remember them: the brave sons and daughters of the Ukrainian nation, the glorious Azov fighters who died in Mariupol, Ilovaisk, Mariinka, near Shyrokyne, at the Svitlodarsk bulge, in the Olenivka colony and in Russian detention centers, in Velyka Novosilka, in the Orikhiv sector, in the Serebryansky forest, near New York, and in other areas of combat operations along the entire front line; about former Azov fighters who served in other brigades, passed on their experience to the younger generation, and died in combat as part of these units. And when it seems that there is no more strength, the memory of them is the only thing that keeps us going. The memory of our common mission, which we are obliged to complete. Ukraine will never forget your heroic deeds. Azov will always remember your names. And it will avenge the deaths of great knights.

Today, two servicemen of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. I welcome our brothers-in-arms who spent nearly three and a half years in the inhumane conditions of Russian prisons back to their homeland and their loved ones. Thank you for your strength of spirit and for enduring. First and foremost, I want to thank all our fighters who capture enemy soldiers on the battlefield and thus replenish our exchange fund. I am also grateful to everyone systematically working on prisoner exchanges: the President of Ukraine, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the Association of Azovstal Defenders' Families, and our partner countries that support this process. Every serviceman who fought in Mariupol, who remained true to the oath and carried out his orders, must be exchanged.

In times of intense combat, such news gives the personnel of the 12th Azov Brigade strength and boosts morale. Today, 34 Azov servicemen returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. These warriors defended Mariupol for 86 days, left Azovstal's territory under orders and spent two and a half years in Russian captivity. Thanks to them and other fighters of the Mariupol garrison, Ukraine withstood the first offensive in the spring of 2022. I welcome you back to our dear homeland and thank you for your resilience and loyalty to Ukraine. The brigade's personnel were looking forward to seeing each of you and did everything possible to replenish the exchange fund with Russian prisoners. I thank the President of Ukraine, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Association of Azovstal Defenders' Families for their thorough work on bringing the captured Azov fighters home. The exchanges involving Azov servicemen are gradually becoming systematic, and this is the result of the joint efforts and perseverance of all those involved at all levels. About 900 Azov fighters remain in Russian prisons. Our common objective is to bring each of them back.

The only things more horrifying than the bloody battles in Mariupol, the relentless bombardment of Azovstal, and the deaths of our brothers-in-arms are oblivion and inaction. Three years have passed since the Mariupol garrison went into captivity, fulfilling the orders of Ukraine’s highest military and political authorities after completing every task entrusted to them. Throughout this time, more than 800 service members of the 12th Azov Brigade have remained in Russian captivity. Prolonged imprisonment, torture, constant psychological pressure, malnutrition, and denial of medical care have become the daily reality for my captive brothers-in-arms. Every day there is a battle — for life, for dignity, and for hope of freedom. The Mariupol garrison defended the city for 86 days. They have now endured over 1,000 days in captivity. To forget this is to betray them. To fail to make every possible effort to bring them home is to become complicit in the crime against them. The defense of Mariupol was an act of salvation for Ukraine. Those who continue the fight in Russian prisons expect their country to show them the gratitude they deserve — just as they did three years ago, when they fought selflessly, far beyond the limits of human endurance, while completely encircled. They would undoubtedly do the same if hundreds of Ukrainians were trapped in the hell of Russian captivity for three years — and there was even the slightest chance to rescue them. And such chances always exist. All it takes is will and the desire to act.

Today is the day each of us asks ourselves: have we done enough? Have we done enough to honor the memory of our fallen brothers‑in‑arms? Have we done enough to free our prisoners of war held in Russian captivity? In our reality, we must push ourselves to the limit — do more than enough, take every possible step to achieve the desired result, fully realize our potential, and reach our goals. I want every Ukrainian to fall asleep and wake up with these thoughts. Every day, anyone who knows this feeling finds the strength to continue the fight and accomplish the impossible — guided by duty, by justice, and by honor. I congratulate all who shed sweat and blood every day on the Day of the Defender of Ukraine. Our war continues, and we know what — and whom — we are fighting for. We hold the line! We eliminate the invaders!

Last week, there were two significant events in the world. First, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed one of the US strategic research institutes, The Heritage Foundation, with a speech in which the war in Ukraine took center stage. Shortly thereafter, the US Senate did not pass a bill that included $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. The differences between the positions of the NATO Secretary General and the foundation's leaders during the meeting at The Heritage Foundation, as well as the failed vote on aid to Ukraine in the US Senate, clearly outline the main problem areas that, unfortunately, remain a subject of debate and uncertainty for part of the Western establishment two years after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The United States sees China, not the Russian Federation, as its main threat. On the one hand, in the long run, Washington's logic is clear: China's high level of technological development, extremely powerful mobilization resources, effective soft power in foreign policy, and rigid bureaucratic party system, multiplied by powerful statist propaganda, are much more worrisome to Americans than the rotten corruption system of Putin's Russia. However, as Stoltenberg clearly hinted at in his speech, the war in Ukraine is part of a global confrontation front against the axis of Eastern dictatorships. It is here and now that they are testing the Western world's strength. Each time the US and NATO reduce or even stop supporting Ukraine, it will demonstrate weakness and indecisiveness, which could allow China to launch an attack on Taiwan and provide an opportunity for the Russian army to move further west. The Kremlin did not get its teeth kicked in after the annexation of Crimea, so it decided to invade in February 2022. If the West does not draw any conclusions and stops helping the Ukrainian Defense Forces, Russian tanks may appear in other, "unexpected" places. The U.S. senators who did not support the bipartisan national security agreement are probably guided by the idea that the United States' own national interests should prevail over everything else. However, China and its allies have already taken note of the results of yesterday's vote. Sun Tzu wrote that the greatest military strategy is not to attack the enemy's army, but to destroy the enemy's plans and break its alliances. Perhaps the senators should have considered the national security of the United States from this perspective. The NATO Secretary General's remark was also absolutely right about the enormous support (not any less and sometimes even more than the US) provided to Ukraine by its European allies. Europeans are well aware of the lessons of the twentieth century, so they understand the strategic importance of what a Ukrainian soldier is doing for the whole of Europe today. I have repeatedly said this and never tire of repeating it again and again: Ukraine is the shield of Europe, and it is Ukrainian soldiers who are the main reason why tens of millions of people can sleep peacefully in their peaceful countries behind our backs. So, if Ukraine falls today, the price of security for the West will be much higher than all the costs of supporting our country in the war against Russia. It's not even about common human values, solidarity, and selfless mutual assistance. Ukraine's victory is beneficial for the United States and NATO. It was during the war in Ukraine that the alliance discovered that it did not have the capacity to produce the required amount of ammunition, which in the context of a war of attrition is an invaluable discovery. Solving this problem is directly related to jobs in the United States and Europe. And it is on the basis of the Ukrainian army's experience that the West will change its approaches to warfare, its algorithms and protocols, becoming stronger in the face of further dangers. The future of the West is being decided not in a theoretical future confrontation with China, but on the lengthy front line of the current war in Ukraine. The post-Yalta world is coming to an end. The breakdown of the existing order and the formation of new axes dictate the necessity of decisive steps. The outcome of the war in Ukraine will determine not only whether Ukraine can become the military and political center of the region, but also the geopolitical architecture of the future world as a whole. The challenges and tasks we face today are much more global than it might seem at first glance.

"0". That is the number of servicemen from the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine who were at the forefront of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the battles for Mariupol who returned from captivity today in the largest exchange since the full-scale invasion. Of course, we are sincerely happy for every Ukrainian soldier who has been exchanged; we congratulate every family who will see their son, father, and husband alive and be able to hug them. However, over 900 Ukrainian families: mothers, wives and children of the soldiers who fought for 86 days to save the country and repel enemy forces in the occupied Mariupol under inhumane conditions with minimal ammunition, food and medicine, will not be able to do so today. More than 900 soldiers, on whose shoulders lay the defense of a city of half a million people, more than half of whom were wounded and who were treated most harshly in captivity, are forgotten and still in the hands of the enemy. The soldiers of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine, at the limit of human capacity, accomplished the impossible and fulfilled the orders. Is each of us, in our respective capacities, doing everything we can to ensure that the captured Azov soldiers who heroically defended their country return to Ukraine as soon as possible?

More than 700 Azov soldiers, the defenders of Mariupol, have been in captivity for a year and a half. Every day spent in captivity does not just take away their freedom and health. Every day of captivity is a threat to their lives. And here's why. On the night of July 28-29, 2022, Russians brutally massacred unarmed Azov prisoners of war in Olenivka. After the termination of Mariupol's defense and the withdrawal from Azovstal, Azov fighters were transferred to a former penal colony in Olenivka, Donetsk region, on the orders of Ukraine's top military command. The Russian side guaranteed the unit's soldiers proper maintenance until the exchanges could begin. A few days before the terrorist attack, the Russians transferred some of the prisoners to a separate facility that was not originally intended for human detention. On the night of July 29, 2022, an explosion occurred in this hangar, killing more than 50 Azov soldiers. About 130 other prisoners of war were injured. After the explosion in the barracks, the Russians did not allow medical workers to enter the site for several hours. This led to even more casualties – those who could have survived if they had received timely, qualified medical care died of their wounds. The survivors tried to provide medical care to the wounded on their own, using their own clothes as bandages. The Russians accused Ukraine of shelling the barracks, but did not allow either Ukrainian or independent international experts to visit the site of the attack. Examining the photographs of the barracks destroyed by the explosion, explosion experts concluded that the nature of the damage to the building and the appearance of the bodies of the victims indicate that the Russian version of the attack on the barracks using HIMARS MLRS is an absolute lie. The available data indicates a severe fire inside the barracks. The walls of the barracks show no signs of damage from missile fragments. This suggests that the tragedy was caused by a thermobaric weapon. The UN Secretary-General decided to disband the fact-finding mission regarding the July 29, 2022, terrorist attack in Olenivka "due to the lack of conditions necessary for the deployment of the mission on site". More than a year has passed since then. The international community is silent. No investigations are being conducted. Only the families of the victims and their comrades-in-arms are apparently concerned about identifying the instigators and executors of the massacre of unarmed Azov soldiers. The enemy failed to defeat the Azov Brigade on the battlefield. Having no honor, they killed unarmed people in their sleep. We remember all the Azov soldiers who died that night. And we will avenge each and every one of them.

Many years ago, before the Russians invaded Ukraine in 2014, we were youth in love with Ukrainian military history. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the Liberation Struggles, and the underground resistance for Ukraine's freedom of past generations were everything to us. The names of Roman Shukhevych, Yevhen Konovalets, Petro Bolbochan, Vasyl Kuk and other prominent Ukrainian military figures were the most important guiding lights. And October 14th, the Feast of the Protection (Ukrainian “Pokrova”), the Day of the UPA (Ukrainian for Ukraine Insurgent Army), is a significant holiday. Years have passed, and what we read about in books has become a daily reality for us. The same enemy. The same inhuman cruelty of the occupiers towards Ukrainians. And the same anger towards the enemies. On this day, we do not worship the ashes. We encourage the fire. The fire that burned in the UPA hideouts. The fire that burns away weakness, fear and despair in our hearts. The fire that is manifested in the volleys of our weapons, and which our enemies are so afraid of. I congratulate the personnel of the 12th Azov Brigade on this holiday. All of you are worthy of carrying this fire forward. You have proved it with your courage, your sweat and blood, and your unbreakable will to fight. When I hear how our fighters who have just returned from captivity are eager to get back to the ranks; when I see yesterday's recruits fearlessly going into battle, repelling Russian assaults; when I think about all those who have been killed in action and who have been held captive for almost two and a half years, I am convinced every time that you are the best that could have happened to Ukraine. I am sure that the UPA fighters, looking at your daily service, are proud of you and smiling because the defense of Ukraine is in good hands. They couldn’t have dreamt of better descendants. Remember that in the darkness of bloody battles, you have something that will never betray you and will always stay with you. The fire that lit the way for thousands and thousands of Ukrainian knights before you. Glory to Ukraine!

The U.S. House of Representatives' approval of a separate bill to aid Ukraine does NOT mean that the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine will receive U.S. weapons. Azov is still blacklisted from receiving any U.S. aid, according to a law that has been in place for multiple years. Ukraine will receive aid from the United States. Azov will not.

On this day, exactly 84 years ago, Soviet troops invaded Finland. The formal reason for the start of the war was a Soviet provocation known as the Mainila incident. The Soviets claimed that on November 26, 1939, Finnish artillery in the area of Mainila fired seven shells at Soviet territory, allegedly killing four soldiers. Using tactics that accounted for the local climate and terrain conditions, mobile partisan ski units that ambushed the Red Army, and relying on the Mannerheim Line, a strip of fortifications on the Karelian Isthmus, the Finns withstood the first massive Soviet offensive. The "Molotov cocktails" that Ukrainians used to welcome Russian convoys in 2022 got their modern look and name in Finland. They made Soviet tanks burn as brightly as Russian tanks did in Ukraine decades afterwards. The total losses in dead and wounded on the part of the red invaders in 3 months amounted to more than 300,000 servicemen. Lacking significant support in the international community, Finland eventually had to make concessions. Nevertheless, on the battlefield, skillful Finnish soldiers demonstrated the harsh Nordic resilience, courage, and absolute devotion to their homeland. For me, the Winter War is not just an essential lesson in military history. It is also the story of my family. My great-grandfather, an ethnic Karelian, who lived in Finland, fought the Bolsheviks in defense of Finland's freedom in that war. He went missing in action, in the endless snowy Finnish wilderness. Today, just like the Finns in 1939-1940, we are holding back the Moscow hordes that significantly outnumber us. As in Finland, our mobilization resources are smaller, but we are motivated by the awareness of what we are fighting for. Just like then, the enemy is superior in terms of equipment and weapons, but we have repeatedly proved that Ukrainian spirit and will can turn tons of enemy steel into dust. Back then, Finland managed to preserve its independence against all odds. We intend to do the same.

One service member of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov returned home from Russian captivity during today's prisoner-of-war exchange. The exchange followed a specific format for the mutual repatriation of seriously ill POWs, who, under the Third Geneva Convention, must be prioritized for return. After the grueling 86-day defense of Mariupol and a long ordeal in the hell of Russian captivity, our fighter will finally be able to reunite with his loved ones. I thank him for his courage and resilience. His example is another proof that the spirit of Ukrainian warriors is unbreakable. Russians regularly commit war crimes, executing Ukrainian POWs and subjecting them to deplorable conditions. They torture, abuse, starve, and deny them medical care. The fighter who returned today is in critical condition, suffering from a severe case of communicable tuberculosis. The 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov regularly captures enemy personnel and makes every effort to expand our exchange fund. We strictly adhere to the laws and customs of war. But even if those laws didn't exist, we would still uphold our military honor and feel responsible for our captive brothers-in-arms. Every fighter in the brigade knows that Ukrainian warriors, including 849 Azov fighters, are held in Russian prisons, waiting for their release. Today, POW exchanges are the only effective way to bring them home. Despite all the hatred we feel for the enemy during battle, an enemy who lays down their weapons can become a means to liberate one of our prisoners. Russian military and political leaders show a blatant disregard for their personnel. This is evident not only in their assault tactics but also in their treatment of POWs. They do not view captivity as an opportunity to bring their people home. Instead, they terrorize POWs, trying to sow panic among Ukrainian troops and demoralize them. There are countless ways in which we differ from our enemy. However, our attitude toward the lives of our personnel must be one of the most significant distinctions. I would like to thank every Ukrainian service member who helps replenish the exchange fund, risking their life in the process. You played a part in bringing our fighter home. I am also grateful to the President of Ukraine, the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, and the Association of "Azovstal" Defenders' Families, as well as the countries that systematically facilitate the exchange processes. POW exchanges are always a result of coordinated, joint efforts at every possible level. We continue our daily work to bring all our brothers-in-arms home.

Another prisoner exchange took place today, with 207 Ukrainian servicemen returning home. I am happy for everyone who has regained their freedom and wish them a swift recovery. I sincerely congratulate two fighters of the 12th Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine on their release from enemy captivity, who, after the Azov unit was expanded from a regiment to a brigade, became part of our military family. However, my joy over their return is overshadowed by the fact that the families of the soldiers who held the defense of Mariupol as part of the Azov regiment will not see their loved ones' names on the lists once again. In all the exchanges since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the names of my comrades have appeared only a few times. Although it has been more than a year and a half since the order to cease the defense of Mariupol was issued. More than 900 Azov soldiers remain in Russian captivity, who held the defense of Mariupol with dignity and for 86 days did not allow the enemy to timely transfer forces and means to advance towards Zaporizhzhia. We are fighting hard against the invaders in the forests of Kreminna, destroying and capturing Russian servicemen, and we continue to believe that the relevant authorities are making sufficient efforts to free our heroes. I am grateful to every Ukrainian who remembers their heroism and fights for their freedom.

Recently, the Azov Brigade delegation took part in the EstMil. tech 2024 military conference in Tallinn. This year's main theme of the conference was "Military Technologies: Challenges for Small States". Estonia, like other countries that share a border with Russia, is well aware of all the threats posed by this border. Therefore, they are extremely interested in studying and learning from the unprecedented experience of the war in Ukraine, including in the context of the use of modern technologies in combat operations. We remember our common history of being under the oppression of Kremlin imperialism and understand the responsibility that lies with us today in defending freedom in the region, so we are ready to share our experience, knowledge and skills with our allies. In memory of the tragedies of the past and for the future of our free nations. Azov officers Arsenii "Process" Fedosiuk and Ilya "Gandalf" Samoilenko made a presentation on "Network-centric warfare" at one of the conference panels moderated by Brigadier General Vahur Karus of the Estonian Army. I had the honor of recording a video address to the conference participants, in which I briefly described how in 2017 a group of Azov officers began implementing the NATO ISTAR system in the unit and emphasized that despite the huge increase in the role of the latest technologies in warfare since 2014, the importance of infantry units on the battlefield remains crucial. Despite all the breakthrough aspects in the use of reconnaissance and strike drones in warfare, it is the trained, disciplined and motivated personnel who remain the main principle and fundamental factor in successful warfare.

A great war requires great changes. This is about the principles of warfare, command procedures, and the role and place of units on the battlefield, not about a wide assortment of Western weapons or fancy Latin labels on office doors. Strategic planning errors cannot be compensated for at the tactical level, especially when the enemy has a significant advantage in almost every aspect. I suggest we take a look at one of the advantages the enemy has been leveraging effectively since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. It isn’t about their planning or the employment of troops, as I do not consider Russia's tactics remarkable from an operational standpoint (given their human resources and defense industry, they could wage a far more effective war). Instead, it's about their organizational approach — specifically in how they form, equip, train, and command operational-tactical and operational-strategic units. This allows enemy division and army commanders to prepare and subsequently manage their regular units in combat more effectively and confidently than our commanders of OTGs, TGRs, and brigades, as it is difficult today to find a brigade at the front that isn't fighting with attached companies and battalions, which often leads to: — significant deterioration in coordination, — biased treatment and misuse of units, — loss of command and control, — unjustified losses among personnel that could have been prevented, — as a result — failure to accomplish assigned combat missions. Every day, commanders at the highest tactical level face difficulties managing attached units while simultaneously being required to transfer their own companies/battalions to other brigades, which often leads to the problems mentioned above. With a frontline over 1,000 km long, it is rather pointless and inefficient to engage in micromanagement by going down to the level of personally managing companies and battalions. The enemy, on the other hand, organizes command at the divisional, corps, and army levels, which simplifies their planning and troop employment processes, knowing their potential and actual capabilities. Briefly about the advantages of forming divisions/army corps in a full-scale war against a strong opponent who has a considerable advantage in personnel, equipment, weaponry, and ammunition, and the subsequent transition to strategic defense with minimal potential for counteroffensive actions (operations) at the operational-tactical level. 1. Unity of command. Commanders of divisions/army corps, which should be formed based on combat-capable brigades by eliminating non-viable units that lost their effectiveness before even gaining it, will be able to organize combat and specialized training within regular units, take personal responsibility for the training process and its quality, objectively assess combat capabilities, and assign tasks to each brigade/regiment accordingly. 2. Initiative. Manage regular units at the frontline more confidently, while retaining situational awareness and maintaining initiative, without attached forces, possessing everything except aviation. 3. Simplicity. Improved command processes and defensive endurance. 4. Optimizing efforts. Stable troop command would allow for the expansion of operational areas and defensive lines along the front (even in breakthrough sectors). P.S. This is already being done, as the one who does the work ends up carrying the load for everyone else. Over the past three months, our brigade's operational area has expanded three times. 5. Security. Reducing the need to plug gaps and put out fires with attached units, which complicates coordination and almost never yields the desired results without a fundamental approach. 6. Most importantly. Reducing micromanagement at the tactical level would allow the higher command to focus on strategic planning (as it is their duty) and more pressing issues, such as strategic defense, which includes measures that have not even been started on. P.S.S. We still have a long fight ahead. Quoting the fundamental principles of war from the immortal Clausewitz, with hopes for a better future, may we all envision a victory plan in which we begin implementing real reforms and accumulating, or at least optimizing, the resources for our long-awaited victory or the postponement of our demise. Time is against us. Think on it.

In February 2023, the Azov Special Forces detachment was enlarged and became the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine. The expansion of our unit, a nightmare of Ukraine's enemies, who were sure that the history of Azov ended in Mariupol, has come true. But Azov continues to do its job stoically, despite the enemies and the fatal circumstances around it. Today, we continue to build up our combat power and recruit new soldiers who become an integral part of our fighting brotherhood. In August, Azov began performing a combat mission in the Lyman sector. The unit's soldiers are bravely and with dignity holding back the enemy's offensive in one of the most difficult areas of the front. The enemy has concentrated a large offensive group here, but it does not stop our soldiers from not only successfully conducting defensive actions, but also counterattacking and moving forward to liberate the territory whenever possible. Thanks to the professionalism and determination of our soldiers, the enemy suffers losses in manpower and equipment, and the exchange fund is regularly replenished with new prisoners. The main tasks for 2024 are to continue the battle for the independence of our country and to return our POWs, who have been in Russian captivity for more than a year and a half, back home. Next year will be even more difficult for each of us. It will be full of trials, new challenges and fierce battles. There is no other way for us.

A petition for unblocking the provision of weapons and aid to the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov by the United States has been rejected. Azov defended Mariupol in 2022 with limited resources and outdated weapons. This was the result of US law amendments that have been in effect since 2017, which block "the provision of weapons and training or other assistance to the Azov battalion". Despite the fact that Azov has repeatedly demonstrated its professionalism and effectiveness, the spread of Russian propaganda continues to contribute to the restriction of access to modern Western weapons for the 12th Azov Brigade. A petition calling on Ukraine's political leadership to make every effort to ensure that the amendment banning the provision of U.S. weapons to Azov is removed from the U.S. Consolidated Appropriations Act has been rejected. The official website of the President of Ukraine has rejected the petition twice. Azov has proven its professionalism and determination in repelling Russian aggression with blood. The soldiers of the 12th Azov Brigade defend the civilized world every day and need support to receive modern Western weapons.

The heroic young men who held back the red horde near Kruty 106 years ago were fighting an unequal battle with the enemy without proper military training, combat experience, sufficient weapons and high-quality equipment. The ruthless whirlwind of history put the best representatives of that generation in exactly those conditions. But each of those young men had something in them that made them choose this path and not back down despite their lack of skills. The average age of Azov's fighters is 27. The average age of the command staff is 32. Azov is all about youth. It is also about brotherhood, professionalism and strength of spirit. The youngest Azovstal defender turned 19 in March 2022. He completed the boot camp at the age of 17 and signed a contract as soon as he came of age. Although he did not have time to master all the intricacies of the art of war, this did not stop him from standing shoulder to shoulder with his comrades to resist the superior enemy forces in the besieged city. For there are always things more important than age, rank or medals. Ukrainian history is full of examples of such heroism. Today we remember the heroism of the young men near Kruty. It was a brutal episode — hundreds of young lives laid down on the bloody altar of the struggle for Ukrainian statehood. But they fought their last battle despite being outnumbered. Over the past nine years, Azov has trained hundreds of military officers who are now building defense forces not only in the ranks of their own unit but also in other military structures. Strong discipline, mutual respect, daily training, constant self-improvement and spirit are what turn recruits into true Azov soldiers. Voluntary and team spirit, which has evolved into professionalism. Unlike the heroes of the liberation struggle of the last century, Ukrainians today have the time and opportunity, and the Azov fighters have the courage to train others and train themselves. After all, we all have the same goal: to ensure that our history no longer knows episodes of heroic self-sacrifice, but only victories and achievements.

Today's holiday, along with Independence Day, Defenders' Day, and Constitution Day, is one of the fundamental, main holidays of modern Ukraine. All of these dates are crystallized in the image of volunteers. Those who, at the call of their hearts, put their lives on the line for the sake of Ukraine's freedom. Our Constitution states that it is the duty of citizens to defend the homeland, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. A volunteer is a person for whom this duty has become the foundation of their existence. Among those who defend Ukraine, volunteers are the backbone of any unit; the most motivated fighters and commanders. And thanks to volunteers, 10 years ago Ukraine maintained its independence and survived at a time when state institutions were virtually powerless to resist those who decided to destroy our country. Today, we are celebrating this day where we should be — at the front, where the volunteers of the Azov Brigade are proving once again that nothing can break people of strong will, united by a common goal: neither enemy metal nor the most difficult tests of sweat and blood. Without you — brave, true and loyal warriors — there is no Ukraine. Happy holiday, volunteers!

105 years ago, the Unification Act of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Western Ukrainian People's Republic was proclaimed on St Sophia Square in Kyiv, which testified to the unity of Ukrainians and the common aspiration of our people for freedom and independence. It is symbolic that a century later, the first Azov fighters went to the East of Ukraine to resist pro-Russian terrorists from the same St Sophia Square. This only confirms once again that the Unity Day of Ukraine is more than just another event in a history textbook. It is a testament to the continuity of generations of people of honor who, over the years, have been united by a common goal — Ukraine's freedom and unity. I know for sure that from its very foundation, Azov has been and remains a brotherhood of warriors whose main motivation is to defend these core values. Today, the enemy continues to try to destroy the unity of Ukraine at all levels and in all possible ways: by seizing Ukrainian territories, propaganda on the international arena, imposing its imperial narratives on the occupied cities and villages, and splitting our society from within. The only way to counter this is to stand strong, focus on improving the country's defense capabilities, and strengthen the army by joining its ranks. State sovereignty exists in reality, not on paper, through actions, not words. Through clear, coordinated and selfless actions of each and every person in their place. As you greet each other on the Unity Day of Ukraine, remember those who gave their lives and health on the battlefield, those who are being tortured by the enemy, those who are defending the integrity of our homeland right now in the most difficult conditions at the frontline. Who are worthy descendants of generations of Ukrainian soldiers who chose to fight even in the most difficult circumstances. Remember them and stand shoulder to shoulder with them. There is no greater honor and no greater reward than to be at the forefront of the struggle for Ukraine's Unity and Independence.