One of the events that caused great resonance in Ukraine was the release and return of former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko to his homeland. After being captured by the Russian side, he was held in prison for a long time.
It is known that in the spring of 2022, after the city was seized, Mykolayenko refused on camera to renounce the title of Hero of Ukraine awarded to Yuriy Shukhevych, which earned him recognition among the people. At that time, he firmly declared:
“Shukhevych fought for Ukraine. He never fought on the side of Nazi Germany, but for his own country. Ukraine granted him the title of hero, therefore he is a true hero.”
According to Ukrainian media, Russian soldiers repeatedly tried to persuade Mykolayenko to cooperate. However, he consistently refused. According to his relatives, it was precisely this principled stance that led to his arrest.
“All this time I saw nothing but concrete walls and bars. That is why today is like my second birthday.”
This event was perceived as a symbol of hope and perseverance not only for Ukrainian society, but also for human rights defenders around the world. Mykolayenko’s return became a great joy and another confirmation of the people’s faith in freedom.
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