As Mariupol soldiers make their last stand, Sydney- based Ukrainian woman speaks to soldier trapped in Azovstal plant every few days – never knowing if it might be the last time
Sydney based, Mariupol-born mother of one, Ms Evgenia Chesnakova, is maintaining contact with her best friend Vovka*, a soldier with the Ukrainian National Guard who is trapped inside the Mariupol Azovstal steel plant, fearful it is only a matter of time before the messages stop arriving.
She has joined with the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) to urge the Australian government to support international efforts to extract the wounded men, women and children who have been trapped for 50 days in bomb shelters, running out of food, water and time, with no medicines, disinfectants, and anaesthesia.They are completely surrounded and constantly bombed from Russian land artillery, Russian planes and Russian naval gunfire.
“Each humanitarian corridor has been ignored by Russia. The last time Russia allowed a Ukrainian evacuation of troops, they turned their guns on them in Illovaisk. They can’t be trusted and we need the international community to step in,” said Ms Chesnakova.
The Co-Chair of the AFUO, Mr Stefan Romaniw, echoed her calls, explaining a message received from Major Serhiy Volyna, Commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, stressed “Mariupol is still a Ukrainian city, no matter what Russian propaganda tells you. A green corridor is required, but the Russians are not permitting people to leave.’
Speaking to the Washington Post, Maj. Volyna has called for a “military operation with all necessary military means, or a political agreement, with another country or a non-military organisation guaranteeing the Ukrainians’ safe passage”.
The AFUO wrote to Minister Payne earlier this week, urging the Australian Government to play a role in coming to the defence of Mariupol. The AFUO also urged “At this time of extraordinary heightening of attacks in a range of regions of Ukraine, we call on the Australian Government to once again heighten the level of sanctions against Russia”.
Ms Chesnakova, who grew up in Mariupol before moving to Australia, conveyed the sense of despair Mariupolites feel today. “Truly there is nothing left of our city. My family’s apartment is completely destroyed. In our country, we say that hope dies last. I’m not sure there is any hope left, but if there is any, it is to evacuate these guys.”
For interviews and more information contact:
Ms Evgenia Chesnakova 0408 289 787 Mr Stefan Romaniw 0419 531 255
For a photo and video gallery of the current situation in Mariupol, we have compiled one here.
*pseudonym
