Died in captivity: it became known about the death of Mariupol defender Oleksandr Ishchenko in Russia (photo)
31 July 2024 16:03
A defender of Mariupol, 55-year-old Oleksandr Ishchenko from the Azov Brigade, died in Russian captivity. This was reported by [Kommersant] reports citing a number of sources.
The death of the Ukrainian soldier was first reported by the Russian news agency TASS. According to it, Oleksandr Ishchenko was to be brought to the courtroom today, 31 July. However, the Ukrainian’s lawyer said that his client died in a pre-trial detention centre in Rostov-on-Don (Russia).
It should be noted that the death of Oleksandr Ishchenko in captivity was also reported by his daughter, Kristina Koshka. The girl published the relevant ‘story’ on her Instagram account. According to her, her father passed away 9 days ago.
“9 days since you passed away, 9 days since you are still not on your native land. My beloved dad, how we fought for you, how you fought and wait to meet us. You always encouraged us. I will never forgive those who did not save you, and this happened in captivity. And you wrote, hoping for a meeting. You are our Hero,” she wrote.
What is known about Oleksandr Ishchenko
Ishchenko was 55 years old. He was a sailor who returned to Ukraine shortly before the invasion and later joined the Azov regiment and became a driver. After his capture, he was involved in a ‘criminal case’ along with 23 other Ukrainians.
Oleksandr Ishchenko’s wifetold Babel media outlet that her husband returned from his next flight on 17 February 2022. The exact circumstances and date of his capture remain unknown, but it happened during the intense fighting for Mariupol. At first, he spent a year in a Donetsk detention centre. Then the defender of Mariupol was transferred to Rostov-on-Don. The family had no contact with their relative during this time. His daughter found out that Oleksandr had been captured only when she saw her father’s photo from the courtroom.
It should be noted that the exact date and cause of death are currently unknown. The administration of the pre-trial detention centre did not have time to provide the court with any documents confirming the death of the defendant. The Azov Brigade and representatives of the Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the reports of the prisoner’s death.
