Ukrainians always repay their debts. But do they always keep their word and bring their captives back?

Putin needed to reduce internal pressure in Russia and save face by returning the conscripts captured in the Kursk region. On the Ukrainian side, those responsible for the exchanges needed to organize a media “victory” for the holiday, following Soviet traditions.

However, there was no place in this formula for the captured Azov fighters, who have been waiting for the promised exchanges for over two years.

This is despite the enormous demand from Ukrainian society to bring back those who, in 2022 in Mariupol, did everything to ensure that Ukraine would continue to exist and celebrate Independence Day today, rather than the “Day of National Unity.”

Despite the fact that Russian captives themselves asked to be exchanged for Azov fighters.

Despite the fact that the Ukrainian negotiating team held significant leverage during this exchange, operating from a position of strength.

None of this was taken advantage of. In today’s exchange, once again, not a single Azov fighter was included. A precious opportunity and time have been lost.

What are all the grand words spoken today worth if, among the 900 Ukrainian service members returned, none of those who faced the worst treatment in Russian captivity have come home?

Ukraine’s Independence Day should be, above all, about gratitude. Gratitude to those who have dedicated themselves to defending Ukraine. And especially to those who saved Ukraine’s independence, carrying out their orders in an absolutely hopeless situation. Surrounded, without sufficient weapons and medicine, against vastly superior enemy forces.

Ukraine has failed this test of gratitude today. The task remains incomplete. The next attempt will be even more costly.

As you fall asleep tonight in your cozy homes, where there are no guards, interrogations, or torture, think about whether you truly understand what independence is and whether you realize the price we pay for it. This will not comfort the families of those who are marking their third Independence Day in captivity today. It will not ease the suffering of my comrades in Russian prisons. But perhaps it will help you finally resolve to fight for the Azov fighters in the next negotiations, as they fought for Ukraine’s independence in Mariupol.

Denys Prokopenko