Azov Battalion Officer Explains Why They Will Not Surrender to Russians

Ukrainian Azov Battalion intelligence officer Ilya Samoylenko has stated that his unit cannot surrender to the Russians as they have orders to defend the Azovstal factory in Mariupol and cannot violate that command. He made these remarks in an interview with British Sky News.

“We cannot surrender because we do not have the order to do so; we will not violate the initial order (to hold the defense),” he said. “This is very important; we do not break commands, we strictly follow orders.”

Additionally, Samoylenko reminded that his unit has been recognized as a terrorist organization in Russia. Consequently, he and his comrades would face imprisonment if they were to surrender.

He also added that the defenders of Azovstal have witnessed “Russian crimes in Mariupol, so the Russians are not interested in letting them live.”

Samoylenko noted that every day could be their last, but he does not think about his life because “his life does not matter,” as the consequences for Ukraine would be disastrous in the event of defeat.

It is worth mentioning that the vast territory of the Azovstal metallurgical plant has become the last stronghold for the Azov nationalists and Ukrainian armed forces in Mariupol. The plant has been under siege since March 18, and no military expert can make accurate predictions regarding its conclusion.

It will be difficult for Russian troops to attack the plant, hence the Azov fighters are expected to have an advantage, which could lead to significant losses for the military of the Russian Federation and the DPR. This was largely the reason why the Russian Ministry of Defense decided to cease the mass attack in the area of the metallurgical plant in early May.