Simply earlier than New 12 months’s Eve, Maksym Skutelnyk, a defender of Mariupol who had been in captivity for almost three years, was introduced again residence and reunited along with his 4-year-old son, who had not seen him since 2021.

Supply: Ilona, Maksym Skutelnyk’s spouse, in an interview with Ukrainian Pravda.Zhyttia

Particulars: Maksym, a sailor from the 501st Separate Battalion of the thirty sixth Marine Brigade, was captured on 4 April 2022 on the Illich Metal Plant within the metropolis of Mariupol.

His spouse Ilona and son Danil, who final noticed his father in December 2021, have been ready for him. That they had been attending weekly protests and holding indicators that learn, "When will Dad hug me?" and "Carry Dad again from captivity".

Quote from Ilona: "Final New 12 months’s Eve, I wanted for my husband to be exchanged by the top of 2024. Sadly, it appeared nearly unimaginable."

Particulars: The very subsequent day, 30 December, she lastly noticed her husband and hugged him for the primary time in almost three years. Ilona admitted she wished to cry however couldn’t shed a tear, as if she had cried all of them in the course of the years of ready.

Ilona mentioned she had a sense that Maksym can be introduced again, as her pals dreamt about him shortly earlier than the change.

Quote: "I didn’t know Maksym can be a part of this change, however some girls concerned within the change course of hinted at it. I made a decision to go to greet the freed troopers. It’s simpler to endure the change course of once you’re amongst individuals who get to reunite with their family members this time."

Even their son, Danil, appeared to sense his father’s return.

Quote: "A month earlier than the change, my son hugged me and mentioned, 'Mother, thanks for saving Dad'. I cried and thought, I didn’t save anybody…

My son and I are common members in FreeAzov occasions, we take an energetic half in occasions in assist of the marines. I instructed him: ‘We have to go to the protest in order that our dad can go residence, may be introduced again’. I assumed he was confused. However maybe a baby’s instinct was at play."

Maksym and Ilona’s son Danil at a protest to deliver again Ukrainian POWs. Photograph offered by Ilona

Extra particulars: Presently, Maksym is present process medical therapy. Upon his launch, he started sharing updates about his fellow prisoners with Ilona, who then relayed the data to their households.

Quote: "My husband’s situation is poor, after all. There are well being points, however he speaks nicely and we’re already speaking about this and that… I do know what it appears like when an change occurs, however the one you love isn’t amongst these freed. I wished to assist different households and move on messages from the lads nonetheless in captivity."

Background: Ilona’s New 12 months’s want got here true – her husband is free. Nevertheless, over 1,300 marines who participated within the defence of Mariupol stay in captivity. Ilona urges others to attend weekly protests to maintain the concentrate on these nonetheless held and to advocate for his or her launch.
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