Evacuation from Azovstal by helicopters: Vlad's story/Channel 24 Collage
The evacuation by helicopters from Azovstal is a boldness bordering on fantasy. It was too risky to pull out wounded soldiers from the surrounded plant, which was fired around the clock in a 360-degree radius. But the Ukrainian pilots succeeded. During this special operation, dozens of soldiers were pulled out of hell, including 21-year-old Vlad, with whom we managed to communicate.
- 1Vlad spoke about the evacuation from Azovstal by the first helicopter: watch the video
- 2We expected and prepared: a conversation with 21-year-old Vlad about the defense of Mariupol
- 3 Wounds. Azovstal. Evacuation: chronology of rescue Power
- 4″The plane dropped about three bombs in an hour”: what was the situation in Mariupol and Azovstal
- 5Unsuccessful departures: details of the special operation
- 6Nobody thought it was the end: moods between brothers at Azovstal
- 7Why did we advance Russians – a war of air bombs and artillery
- 8Russians know that I was at Azovstal: Authorities about the visit of the FSB
- 9″I am a trained man”: Vlad will return to the front after rehabilitation
Vlad does not give his last name and does not show his face for security reasons . The Russians have already tried to find the relatives of the fighter – they came directly to his home in his native Melitopol, now under occupation. So we keep the conversation confidential.
I managed to talk with Vlad in one of the rehabilitation centers. Now the guy feels much better. The events that happened to him just a month ago, he recalls quite restrained and balanced. He does not consider himself a hero and says that he did what he had to. Defense of the Motherland for him is a duty that does not require explanation. Vlad joined the regiment of defenders of Mariupol in 2018, and since then he has been preparing for war.
Vlad told about evacuation from Azovstal by the first helicopter: watch the video
Expecting and preparing: a conversation with 21-year-old Vlad about the defense of Mariupol
How long were you at the front and were you immediately in Mariupol?
I was immediately in Mariupol. There we have a base of the regiment, respectively, and we were based there. So, when it all started, we were already in the city.
Expected that there would be a full-scale Russian invasion?
Yes, they were waiting in the regiment. We were constantly preparing. And they were ready. We are a combat unit, so we are constantly preparing.
Injuries. Azovstal. Evacuation: Rescue Chronology Power
How did you get injured, what were the circumstances of the battle?
On March 10, we were in the vicinity of the Eastern microdistrict of Mariupol – we took up defense there. The enemy DRG came, we entered the battle. I stayed in the open under fire, moved to cover and the bullet hit my leg.
How was your evacuation?
From March 10 to March 16, I was in hospital 61 in Mariupol. And then a bomb was dropped on him. Half of the hospital was destroyed. Then the evacuation began, people were transported to Azovmash and Azovstal.
I waited for the evacuation to Azovstal, where I stayed from 16 to 21 March. At 3 am I was awakened and told that there would be an evacuation. By 4 I was already ready, that is, I was lying on a stretcher. Then, for about an hour and a half, we rode along Azovstal under shelling. And they waited for a helicopter for about half an hour.
A helicopter arrived, unloaded ammunition and medicines. Accordingly, they then downloaded us and we flew away.
Many people managed to be evacuated?
I can't say for sure, but there are about 60 people in total.
What was the helicopter you were evacuated with? I know that there were several special operations, and not all were successful.
It was the first. First, I understand.
Did you realize how risky this evacuation is?
Yes, yes…
But did you believe that it would be successful?
Yes, we did.
How long did you fly approximately? And what did you feel after landing?
About 2 hours. At first we took off and the sensations were such that we might not fly out. After takeoff, we flew for more than an hour.
Then the helicopter landed for refueling and was told that we were already on our land, that is, in a safe area. It was such a relief. Then another 40 minutes of flight, we sat down at the airport of the Dnieper. From there we were taken by ambulances to hospitals.
And how many soldiers did you manage to evacuate with you?
There were 7 people in my helicopter. Of these, 4 were on stretchers, which took up a lot of space. And 3 more people sitting.
Everyone was in serious condition, as I understand it?
Yes yes. I was brought and sent to the traumatology department, and someone even ended up in intensive care and stayed there for about 1-2 more weeks.
Were your relatives among the evacuees brethren?
No. Most of the people I know stayed at Azovstal.
Did you manage to keep in touch with them?
Well… no one gets in touch after May 18.
Conversation with Vlad, evacuated from Azovstal by the defenders of Mariupol/Photo by Anastasia Zazulyak, Channel 24
“The plane dropped about three bombs in an hour”: what was the situation in Mariupol and Azovstal< /h3>
You recalled the moments when you arrived at Azovstal. What was the situation like when you left? How critical was it?
When I arrived at Azovstal, it still basically looked like a factory. You look – the building is in good condition. When we were already leaving, it was impossible to recognize the plant. Everything is broken, there is no road, cars drive on flat tires, craters and pits are everywhere.
Were shelling frequent? >
Permanently. Somewhere out of 15, the Russians began to attract aviation – so point-blank. The plane was probably dropping about three bombs an hour later. This went on constantly – day and night . They calmed down a little until night, but somewhere at 5 in the morning it was repeated again and so on until about 1 or 2 in the morning. There were almost no breaks.
Plus, the MLRS (multiple launch rocket system – channel 24), artillery worked.
They even flew at the entrance to the bunker where we were lying. Accordingly, there was such a dull blow, you look – and everything is in the dust. It feels like there's nothing on top.
The Russians shelled Azovstal with phosphorus shells/Screenshot from the video
Were you in a military hospital?
From March 10th to March 16th, yes, and then I was moved to the basement of the bomb shelter. They also bombed the bomb shelter. Knowing that there are likely to be wounded. But they don't care.
How many were wounded and what were they in?
I saw about 150 people. This is as of March 20th. Somewhere 40-50% of the wounded were of moderate severity and could walk. All the rest were lying down. They needed constant care, droppers, dressings. They couldn't do anything themselves. No water to drink, nothing to drink.
By that time, was it still possible to help the wounded? Were there any medications?
Yes. Few, but still were. When we were being taken away, I saw that all sorts of medicines and weapons were also unloaded from the helicopter.
At the factory civilians were also hiding from shelling . Did you cross paths with them?
Yes, but they were a bit separate from us. We divided them. Why was this done? So as not to put them under attack.
So the civilians were separate from the military?
Yes. They were also helped, but they were in a different bunker so that they would not be hit so hard. But the Russians, in principle, fired indiscriminately, they were not embarrassed by anything at all.
Unsuccessful sorties: details of a special operation
h3>
Let's get back to the evacuation itself. Do you know who did it, what were the stages and how did it go?
Honestly, I don't know who did it. I heard that it was the GUR (Main Directorate of Intelligence – Channel 24) and our commanders planned on the spot.
Do you know anything about unsuccessful sorties during special operations?
I heard that 2 helicopters were shot down. I know that there were wounded in one of the helicopters, who were also at Azovstal. I recognized exactly one person who was in that helicopter. He died.
Help!Ukraine sent military aid to Azovstal 7 times. According to intelligence chief Kirill Budanov, a total of 16 helicopters flew there. Usually they flew 2 helicopters, once – 4 at once. During the fifth and seventh sorties, the occupiers managed to shoot down one Ukrainian helicopter each. The Russians also destroyed one of the helicopters that arrived to help the downed man. However, thanks to these sorties, the defenders of Azovstal managed to deliver weapons, ammunition, medicines, food and 72 fighters from the regiment of the defenders of Mariupol, who reinforced the unit already at Azovstal.
No one thought this was the end: moods between brothers at Azovstal
How were the people who got to Azovstal identified?
In the beginning, there were 2 hospitals set up in bomb shelters. The first in Azovstal – there was a regiment of defenders of Mariupol and the National Guard. Any units that were part of them were sent there.
The second was at Azovmash – the Armed Forces of Ukraine were already there, that is, the marines of the 36th brigade and Tro. at Azovstal? Did you understand that you could get out, fight back, or wait for others to help?
There were rumors that brigades were coming to us for release. We were waiting for them.
High command did not report anything to your commanders, where are they, and what are the chances of evacuation?
When I was already at Azovstal, our commanders were engaged in combat planning, they were on the first line of defense. They didn't have time to come to the wounded and tell us what we have and what we don't have.
A postcard “Chronicles of the Liberation War” was printed for us from headquarters. This is how we found out what happened during the day: what changes, how many enemy units were destroyed, what events took place in the world.
In general, what was the mood between the brothers? How did the stressful situation affect you – were you positive or depressed?
Positive. Almost everyone I knew and talked to was positive. Mostly there were no people who thought this was the end.
Vlad told the details of the evacuation from Azovstal/Photo by Anastasia Zazulyak, Channel 24
Why the Russians advanced – a war of bombs and artillery
Let's get back to the evacuation. When you were injured – on that day and before – how tense was the situation in the city and how quickly did the Russians advance?
When I was injured, there were hospitals in the city. The city center was still more or less alive. There were people there, shops were open.
When I was transported on March 16, the city was already almost like Hiroshima, to be honest. They fired at him randomly. Everyone bombed! And on March 21, when we were already flying away, it was just … horror.
As for how fast the Russians were advancing, not very fast. They “climbed” constantly with a large number of infantry. But our commanders planned the defense well. We made counterattacks, repulsed and, in principle, everything was successful. But it is clear that the blockade runs out of resources.
Do you think they took in numbers or weapons? How did they manage to advance so much?
In terms of numbers – MLRS, artillery, aviation. In terms of the level of training, they lagged behind us. They were very far behind. Accordingly, they suffered huge losses.
How did they come? Their plane flew in – dropped a bomb, then the tanks and artillery worked out, the Grad flew in, then the infantry climbs. Moreover, very untrained infantry, which is destroyed without much difficulty. Then the situation repeats. They fought more with artillery and aerial bombs than with infantry.
The Russians know that I was at Azovstal “: Authorities about FSB visit
You mentioned that your parents lived in occupied Melitopol. Have they had any problems with your service?
The Russians somehow knew that I was in the military, that I was in the regiment. They came to their parents' house in Melitopol. When they knocked on the door, I was just talking to my mother on the phone. They introduced themselves as being from the FSB and said that I was on the lists for terrorism, like my family.
And they knew who they were talking to? Did you know it was your mother?
Yes, they know. Motherland is known, mother, grandmother, even younger brother. They all know. Where they got this information from, I don't know. They knew that I was in Mariupol, but, according to them, I fled from there.
This was after the evacuation. That is, they even know that I was evacuated from Mariupol.
What was their goal? Did they threaten your family?
They ransacked the whole house, looking for something. But I don't know what they found.
And then they told the neighbors: tell the family if they return, so that they go to the “commandant's office.” And if they do not return, then the house will be given to those in need. They also told the neighbors that they can come in and take what they want. Leaving property for the “common good”.
Are your family safe now?
Yes, everyone has left. Mom at first did not want to leave, she thought that she would wait there. I insisted that they leave. And it's good that they listened. If we hadn't gone, we would be in captivity now, in the basement.
I have friends who had a pro-Ukrainian position. Some of them remained in Melitopol, they were stolen, kept in cellars. I saw one of them a propaganda interview where he is tortured and forced to say something that never happened at all.
Did your relatives have any problems when leaving?< /p>
They stood for 2 days near Vasilevka. They were not passed. It was said that the Russians staged provocations. Specially in the field, they went out to 100 meters and fired towards the positions of the Ukrainian military. Accordingly, ours had to shoot back, because they would not sit under shelling and wait for the offensive.
And here they are peaceful. They arrange such provocations on purpose.
“I am a trained man”: Vlad will return to the front after rehabilitation
You are now in rehab. What are your plans for the future?
I am waiting for my bone to heal, when the plate is removed, this requires another operation. After that, rehabilitation. And then I plan to return to the front.
It’s even hard for me to imagine how it is: after everything that you saw after being wounded, difficult evacuation and rehabilitation, you still want to go to the front.
Yes, and who will dismiss our land? If everyone says this: “I don’t want to”, “I’m scared” or something else … Or other reasons: “I have already seen a lot there”, “I fought a lot” … Who will go then? How many people will be left? Moreover, I am a trained person. I have been studying this for over a year. A weapon specialist. Therefore, I decided that I would return to fight as soon as I got on my feet.
By the way, there are legends about the training of your regiment. How does this happen?
We are originally trained as infantry. And after that they are distributed as specialists. For example, someone knows how to shoot from a DShK (large-caliber machine gun – channel 24), someone from a PKM (Kalashnikov machine gun), someone is an armored personnel carrier or MTLB gunner, someone becomes a driver.
Tactics, theory, forced marches… Usually it's a military thing. The task is to prepare a person from civilian to military in 9 weeks.
We heard pride in Vlad's words. Pride for the regiment, for the brothers and for the defended country. However, when we called him a hero, he only grinned and said that he did not consider himself such a hero. The defenders of Mariupol are patriotism of the highest level. Patriotism, which will not be crossed out by any Russian propaganda. Dignity, courage and strength of unprecedented proportions. Our freedom cannot be taken away, and our spirit cannot be conquered. We are waiting for the return of all the defenders!
