Ukraine's richest man Akhmetov recalls Mariupol defence and contact with Azov Brigade fighters
Ukraine's richest businessman, Rinat Akhmetov, has said that during the defence of Mariupol by Azov Brigade fighters in 2022, he remained in constant contact with Brigadier General Denys "Redis" Prokopenko, commander of the city's defenders.
Source: Akhmetov in an interview with The Guardian
Details: Akhmetov was asked about the occupation of Mariupol and its defenders, who resisted the Russians for more than 80 days from the Azovstal steel plant. The businessman recalled how he maintained regular contact with Redis.
Quote: "I called him [Redis – ed.] several times a day and was moved by his strength and courage. I never heard panic in his voice. They were all conscientious, dignified and ready to give their lives for every inch of land. But on 20 May 2022 they had an order from higher command to surrender. I spoke with him 15 minutes before they exited Azovstal. I said: 'Denys, what can I do for you, what can I do for your guys?' He said: 'You needn't worry about me, please take care of my men.
He knew he would be subjected to captivity but didn't ask for any personal privilege. This is how the Heart of Azovstal project, which supports Mariupol's defenders and their families, came to life. I promised I'd help those guys, and I'll do whatever is possible."
Details: Akhmetov also said that he had visited Mariupol shortly before the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
He said that he had met with people from Azovstal and the Illich Iron and Steel Works and repeatedly stressed that Mariupol is part of Ukraine: "When the Russians arrived, nobody was welcoming Putin's soldiers with flowers. Even small children were taking whatever they could, stones and rocks, and were ready to fight."
The Guardian noted that the businessman gave the interview in Kyiv and is in Ukraine, although his whereabouts "have been a subject of conjecture during the war".
Akhmetov also recalled that in 2014, when the occupation began, he spoke at Donbas Arena in Donetsk, telling Kremlin-backed proxies: "You're good for nothing, you're terrorists. You need to be pushed out, you deceive the people. You bring Donbas to the grave."
Quote: "We put banners around the region with the motto: 'A happy Donetsk and happy Donbas can only be part [of] a unified Ukraine.' People ask what I would say today to those in occupied regions, and it would be exactly the same."
Background:
- Mariupol was encircled by Russian troops on 1 March 2022. From late April, the city's defenders were blockaded at the Azovstal plant, particularly members of the Azov National Guard regiment, marines, border guards and police officers. They appealed to the world for rescue: the marines called for an extraction, while Azov fighters requested at least the evacuation of wounded personnel.
- After 86 days of defending Mariupol, the defenders agreed, following the president's decision, to withdraw to territory controlled by the Russians. The withdrawal took place on 16-20 May. Russia claimed that 2,439 fighters came out from the underground of Azovstal. Representatives of the Red Cross registered the Ukrainian defenders as prisoners of war.
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