Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra releases video in support of captured Azovstal defenders

The Kalush Orchestra offered words of encouragement and solidarity to the captured defenders of "Azovstal" and their families via a recorded video.

The Association of Families of Defenders of Azovstal reported that on Telegram.

"Part of our defenders from "Azovstal" still remain in captivity. We believe that soon every son, husband, wife, and mother will return to their relatives. We believe in our Victory," the group emphasized in their appeal.

It is noted that this is not the first time Kalush Orchestra has supported the Mariupol garrison. In May 2022, when the fighting on "Azovstal" reached the peak of the disaster, the performers called to save Mariupol and "Azovstal" live on Eurovision, despite the direct prohibition of such actions by the rules of the international competition.

Then the message about the need to immediately save the defenders brought "Azovstal" to the top of Google queries throughout Europe. In the summer of the same year, the group donated 5 million hryvnias to rehabilitate heroes returned from captivity.

It should be noted that the relatives of the defenders of "Azovstal" insist on enshrining in the legislation of Ukraine the status of servicemen released from captivity. This is necessary to form a culture of treatment of prisoners of war and the order of their rehabilitation.

It should be noted that about 500 defenders of "Azovstal" were returned to Ukraine within a year, and about 2,000 more are still in Russian captivity.

As Rubryka wrote, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would do everything to host the Eurovision Song Contest in the rebuilt Ukrainian Mariupol.

For reference:

Kalush is a Ukrainian rap group founded in 2019, consisting of Oleh Psiuk as the founding and leader rapper,  multi–instrumentalist Ihor Didenchuk and breakdancer MC KylymMan.

On May 14th, 2022, the group won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with 631 points, and their song "Stefania" earned Ukraine its third Eurovision victory.