On Sunday, Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv’s Independence Square to mark the second anniversary of the Olenivka prison explosion, which claimed over 50 lives. The explosion remains a painful chapter in the conflict, with many survivors and families demanding that the Ukrainian government intensify efforts to secure the release of prisoners of war held by Russia.
At the commemoration, impassioned calls were made for the government to push harder for a prisoner exchange. Sgt. Kyrylo Masalitin, a survivor of the Olenivka explosion, shared his experience and urged continued efforts to free those still in captivity. Behind him, over 300 Azov brigade soldiers stood in formation, holding red flares in tribute to their fallen comrades.
The explosion’s cause remains disputed. Russia claims it resulted from a Ukrainian missile strike, but an Associated Press investigation suggests Russian forces were responsible. The AP’s findings, corroborated by an internal UN analysis, point to Russian involvement, although the UN has not made a public accusation.
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Two years later, many Ukrainians are still seeking clarity about the incident. The event also highlighted ongoing efforts to secure the release of Ukrainian soldiers captured during the fall of Mariupol and the Azovstal steelworks. The “Free Azov” campaign is actively pressuring President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government to facilitate a prisoner exchange.
Among the attendees was Stanislav, a wounded veteran of Mariupol, who emphasized the need to keep pushing for the return of all captive soldiers. The ceremony also saw families of the deceased and imprisoned soldiers coming together, sharing their pain and hope for a resolution. Halyna Stafiichuk, whose son is still missing, expressed her daily anguish and hope for his return, trusting in both divine and governmental intervention.
