Direct speech
From the age of 14 my son wanted to serve in the regiment of defenders of Mariupol. He even transferred to another specialty to finish college sooner, and to join them at the age of 18. We found out about it unexpectedly – he invited my husband and me to his graduation ceremony. However, I persuaded him to wait for another year.
Read here "They are dying in agony": what the mothers and wives of the Azovstal defenders say
At age 19, he brought a stack of papers and said, "I'm definitely going this time." From the look on my son's face, it became clear that he could not be dissuaded. So he served in the regiment for the last 3 years. The last time we spoke, my son, as usual, did not say anything bad: "Everything is fine. All chiki-puki, mom. We are kicking the occupiers."
During the first days of the full-scale war, he was more worried about me and my husband than himself. We live in Brovary district – near Velyka Dymerka. There were very heavy battles there.
On February 24, my son called and urged his father to get his passport and go to the military registration and enlistment office. He said: "Either we kick all of them, or they will kick us." My husband Stavr still serves in the territorial defense.
We liked to walk in the park near the Drama Theater in the evening, when visited Mariupol. There are such beautiful fountains and flower beds!
I ask my son, "Why do they need the city now? It's gone. There are only ruins left." The son said, "Do you remember Grozny? It's even worse here."
Our relatives in Russia tried to persuade us that it was America and Ukraine, who started the war in the country, and we just don't understand anything. But they don't bother me because they know where my child is.
Long awaited call
During Tеtiana's interview, her son called her. From "Azovstal". They talked for 15 minutes. The most valuable ones at this time.
The son apologized for not being able to get in touch and congratulated her on Mother's Day. He assures that everything is fine with him. "When he starves, he gives his piece of bread to the others. I always ask him not to calm me down," she said.
"He only sometimes asks, "Well, how are you? Do you hear anything about us?". What do I have to tell him?" she told.
That is why I appeal to our government and to the whole world: please give me back my son. He is only 21 years old. He has already been in hell, give him the chance to return to earth and see the sun! He proved to be worthy of it!
– she said.
"My only wish is for him to hug me!" – Tеtiana told us.
The defender’s father Starv also plead for help: "I call for the evacuation of all defenders from the blocked Azovstal, civilians, wounded and military, to perform an "extraction" procedure. Every day there – it is someone's life!"