Attendance Drops at 'Free Azov' Rallies: From 2,000 to 150 People
Weekly protests in Ukraine demanding the release of Azovstal defenders have seen a sharp decline in participants, from 2,000 to as few as 150–350, according to police estimates.
Decline in Numbers
Since December 2023, weekly 'Free Azov' rallies have been held in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to draw attention to the remaining prisoners of war from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. Initially, the events drew up to 2,000 people, but recent observations by Ukrainska Pravda and patrol police indicate a significant drop, with only 150 to 350 participants at recent gatherings.
Personal Stories
The rallies are attended by family members and activists. Natalia Kravtsova, whose son Artem has been in captivity for five years, shared his story. Artem joined the Azov regiment in 2015 and was captured after leaving Azovstal. He survived the Olenivka prison attack and is now held in a colony in Perm Krai, Russia, facing terrorism charges.
Another participant, Yuliia (surname not given), whose brother is missing in action, said society must not forget the war. Former civilian prisoner Kostiantyn Davydenko, who spent seven years in captivity, attends with a flag depicting his cellmate Rustam Gochaliev, an Azov fighter sentenced to 15 years.
Reasons for the Decrease
Co-organizer Olha Andrianova attributes the decline to people leaving the country, joining the military, or unfavorable weather. However, she notes that the fact people have been attending for four years is a good sign. Yuliia Stomina, whose father was recently released after four years in captivity, emphasizes the importance of reminding the public about prisoners of war through all spheres of life. "Coming to a rally is one hour a week. We are all tired, but we must ask ourselves: are we ready to tell prisoners that we stopped coming because we got tired of waiting?"
