English: Safe to assume that most of the world heard about the heroic story of Mariupol defence, that lasted from 24th of February to 20st of May 2022. Protectors of the city — Azov regiment, marines, border guard service, national guard, police, security service, territorial defense & other forces did the impossible, protecting the city from the overwhelming enemy army. After receiving an order from the country's highest command to prioritize the lives of the remaining troops, defenders of Mariupol ended up on the enemy-occupied territory where to this day, they are waiting for prisoners of war exchange.

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To expedite the processes of getting the soldiers back home, the families of Mariupol defenders united as a single team forming the Association of «Azovstal» defenders' families. The official activity of the organization started on June 1st, 2022.