The Russian Nazi lie didn’t suck anyone in, well apart from conspiracy theorists and Putin apologists, probably some card carrying members of the flat earth society are part of that club too. The Russian propaganda machine has worked overtime to paint the Azov Regiment as right-wing nationalists and classified them as a terrorist organisation. We all know who the fascists are though.  

So this will infuriate the Putin apologists, the prisoner swap with Russia included 215 Ukrainians, many who had been captured after the fall of Mariupol. In return, 55 pro-Russian prisoners including Putin puppet Viktor Medvedchuk were traded for the Ukrainian prisoners. Pretty much the only victory the Russians can claim, the eventual surrender of the Azov Regiment after the siege of Mariupol Steel Plant has been returned via the prisoner swap. 

I scanned the list to see if Lieutenant Illya Samoilenko was among those involved in the prisoner swap. I watched the Sky News interview with him as they were deep in the Mariupol Steel Plant, he really impressed me. He spoke calmly and was defiant despite hanging out for 68 days against an overwhelming Russian onslaught. For all the silly talk of a terrorist organisation, the members of the Azov Regiment are returned, if they were really terrorists – that wouldn’t happen.