Oleksandr Boichuk, a senior midshipman and former commander of Ukraine’s solely minesweeper Henichesk – destroyed by Russian forces – has returned from Russian captivity as a part of a brand new prisoner alternate.
Supply: journalist Bohdan Kutiepov on social media
Particulars: Kutiepov reported that Boichuk is a defender of Mariupol who went lacking at first of the full-scale invasion. For the primary yr, he was not even listed among the many residing, however his spouse continued to consider and anticipate him. She and their sons additionally joined the armed forces.
Quote from Kutiepov: "Oleksandr Boichuk – the legendary commander of Ukraine’s solely minesweeper (now destroyed), who sailed the ship away in the course of the annexation of Crimea in 2014 – is coming house! That is unimaginable pleasure! Imagine, all of you who’ve misplaced hope! Miracles occur."
Extra particulars: Boichuk appeared in Kutiepov’s 2017 documentary Henichesk, for which the filmmaker spent two days at sea with the ship’s crew. The movie tells the story of "the adventures of a 'Banderite commander' and the crew of a small however proud minesweeper Henichesk".
Boichuk is initially from Volodymyr in Volyn Oblast. He was transferred to the navy in 2009.
Through the annexation of Crimea in March 2014, Russian forces blockaded Ukrainian ships at their bases. Regardless of refusing to give up or be part of Russia, many of the fleet – 51 ships – was seized. Solely a small fraction of Ukraine’s navy remained loyal.
Oleksandr Boichuk starred in Kutiepov's documentary Henichesk, which was launched in 2017. Picture: Bogdan Kutiepov Fb
Boichuk was additionally supplied to defect in alternate for social advantages, however he pretended to contemplate the provide, gaining time for a manoeuvre. The Ukrainian crew tried to flee with the minesweeper however had been intercepted and severely crushed.
Henichesk was one of many few vessels Russia returned to Ukraine, deeming it match just for scrap as a consequence of its expired service life. Nonetheless, Ukrainian sailors, utilizing their very own initiative, repaired the ship with out fashionable tools. Regardless of its age, Henichesk continued to serve and took half in joint workouts with NATO vessels.
The minesweeper was destroyed in August 2022, when Come Again Alive Basis director Taras Chmut reported that the vessel was sunk throughout a mission after being hit by cruise missiles launched from occupied Crimea.
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