Mariupol police officer freed from Russian captivity shares story of her beloved “convicted” in Russia

Mariana Checheliuk, a 24-year-old police officer who has recently been liberated from Russian captivity, has shared a story about her beloved, who was with her at Azovstal steelworks. Vladyslav Andrianov is a fighter with the Azov Brigade and Mariana's beloved, still in Russian captivity. He survived the terrorist attack in Olenivka POW camp in July 2022, but last year, the Russians "sentenced" him to 25 years in prison.

"My husband, the other half of my broken heart. He survived the terrorist attack in Olenivka. He bravely defended Mariupol.

Now, he is serving 25 years in Russian captivity. If I had the opportunity to be in captivity instead of you, I would not hesitate to stay there," Mariana said.

Mariana went through Russian captivity with a black thread instead of a ring - it gave her the strength to live, love and keep her beloved in her heart.

Mariana went through captivity with a black thread instead of a ring.Photo: Mariana Checheliuk on Instagram

"You fought bravely for us to live freely in our country. You are unbreakable, brave, courageous.

When I was in captivity, I had a dream that when I came back, you would meet me from captivity. For the past two years, I've been hoping that you were already home. This is a big blow to my heart...

Hold on, my love, we will bring you back soon, and your suffering will be over. We will get back to the happy life that was so abruptly cut short by the war," Mariana wrote. Background:

In May 2022, Mariana Checheliuk, a 22-year-old National Police investigator from Mariupol, was captured by the Russians when she tried to evacuate from the city with her sister.

The Russians did not let the girl through the "filtration" and held her captive for more than two years.
At first, she was taken to the Donetsk pre-trial detention centre. Later, she was held in a POW camp in Olenivka and then in a prison in Taganrog, Russia.
In January 2024, Mariana's mother, Nataliia Checheliuk, spoke about the horrific torture her daughter suffered in captivity, which made her very ill.
Mariana was brought home on 31 May as part of the 52nd POW swap, along with 74 other Ukrainians. The released persons include members of Ukraine's Armed Forces and the National Guard, border guards, and four civilians.

This exchange included 10 Azovstal defenders, including one Azov servicewoman.

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