The story of the “Azov” officer Maria, who got out of the Mariupol encirclement on foot. VIDEO
Maria, an officer of the “Azov” brigade, survived fierce battles in Mariupol and the siege of the “Azovstal” metallurgical plant. There she heard about the death of her brother, who, fortunately, was found alive.
The girl recalls how she and her friends hid in basements and tried to survive in incredibly difficult conditions, the Eastern operational-territorial unit of the National Guard of Ukraine says.
They said there that Maria grew up in Donetsk region. From a young age, she experienced pain due to the occupation of her native land.
From school, she dreamed of becoming a soldier, just like her older brother. After graduating from the National Guard Academy in March 2021, she joined the ranks of the 12th operational brigade.
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| Officer Maria. Photo: Eastern operational-territorial unit of the National Guard of Ukraine |
She received the news about the start of a full-scale invasion late at night on February 24.
“Somewhere at two o’clock in the morning they called me and said: “We are at war. Go to the military unit!” We then arrived and defended the military unit for another couple of days.”– said Maria.
She adds that at that time she was the deputy commander of the rifle company for convoying and extradition of defendants for work with personnel.
“The situation rapidly worsened. The main forces of the defenders of Mariupol began to concentrate in the metallurgical plant “Azovstal”– says the girl.
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| A military vehicle with the symbol of the occupiers. Photo: Eastern operational-territorial unit of the National Guard of Ukraine |
He adds that it became an important command and logistics center, from where ammunition and food were supplied to fighters who were fighting in the streets, where the wounded and dead were evacuated.
“At first we still had supplies, but then problems with water began. We washed with one liter bottle of water a day. We shared food with civilians who were also in another bunker,” – says Maria.
She recalls hearing constant shelling. The boys went on missions and also fought in the city.
The officer’s task was to support the moral and psychological state of the boys and girls who were at “Azovstal”. The biggest trauma for everyone was the loss of someone close to them.
“I experienced it myself, when my brother was wounded, and at first it was reported on the radio station that he had died. It was probably the most difficult moment of my stay there,” – emphasized the military.
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| Military chevron. Photo: Eastern operational-territorial unit of the National Guard of Ukraine |
She admits that she was very lucky, because her brother turned out to be alive, and she got a chance to see him, to break the incredible horror of the unknown.
“Then my foreman took the car, and we went to his hospital. It hurts so much to see when your loved one is lying covered in blood! At this moment, you can’t show your emotions: cry or get hysterical,” – Maria recalled.
She said that her brother was then evacuated by helicopter from the besieged city.
The girl recalled that the situation was getting worse every day, the command of the unit made a decision to allow the personnel of the unit, in particular women, to evacuate Mariupol on their own.
Maria and her friends began to get out of the encirclement on foot through the numerous checkpoints of the Russian occupiers: residents of Kadyrov, natives of Buryatia, temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The girl managed to survive, the trials did not break her spirit, rather hardened her. She has been through so much, but she is just as devoted to her duty.
“Our servicemen have unique combat experience. They will teach you to fight as efficiently as possible. Those who come to us will take part in assault operations, liberating Ukrainian land up to the borders of 1991.”– Maria is confident.
We will remind you that a 20-year-old fighter from one of the divisions of the “SSO Azov” told his war story for “UP Life”.
Read also: “Island of Hope”. How did it turn out and what is happening now with the defenders of “Azovstal”
