Azov regiment photographer Dmytro Kozatsky, known under the pseudonym Orest, who published emotional photos of Ukrainian defenders at the Azovstal plant, has been in Russian captivity since May, when the Ukrainian military surrendered. Recently, he managed to call his relatives and inform them that he is alive and where he is being held, Ukrainian TV channel 24TV reports.

Ukrainian military Dmytro Kozatskyi, who is also called the “eyes and voice of Azovstal”, who published several photos in which the main characters were the wounded defenders of Azovstal, almost three months after being captured by Russia, managed to call his relatives.

His sister, Daria Yurchenko, told Ukraine’s 24TV channel that she had not heard from Dmytro since Ukrainian defenders surrendered in May, and that she was heartbroken after witnessing the attack on Olevnik prison and the deaths of dozens of Ukrainian prisoners. .

“Hello! I’m Dima!” These were the first words Daria heard.

Dmytro’s sister was surprised when she saw on August 2 that she was being called from a Russian number, and his brother was on the other end of the line.

Dmytro told him that he was healthy and held captive in Donetsk, a territory temporarily occupied by the Russians, and that his captors had allowed him to call home.

During a short conversation, the brothers burst into tears, Daria told the Ukrainian TV channel 24TV.

On the same day, the soldier-photographer also managed to have a short conversation with his mother.

Orest is currently in the temporarily occupied territory. His sister Daria Yurchenko told Channel 24 about the conversation with her brother. She testified that after the Yelenivska tragedy, she was no longer at home.

Dmytro Kozatsky posted the last two photos from Azovstal:

Who is Dmytro Kozatskyi, “the eyes and voice of Azovstal”

According to local media, Dmytro Kozatsky is 26 years old and was born in Zhytomyr district. Until 2014, he studied political science at the Ostroh Academy of the Rivne region, then joined the National Guard of Ukraine.

According to Hromadske, a fighter nicknamed Orest joined the Azov regiment in 2017.

Now the press service of the battalion is headed by Dmytro Kozatskyi, local media reports.

In Ukraine, Dmytro Kozatskyi is considered “the eyes and voice of Azovstal”.

On May 10, when Russian troops tried to capture the Azovstal metallurgical plant, Dmytro Kozatskyi published several photos in which the main characters were the wounded defenders of Azovstal.

On May 16, another photo of Dmytro Kozatskyi, which depicts a Ukrainian military man in a beam of light, went viral on social networks and was called “The light will win.”

Also, the day after Ukraine’s victory at Eurovision thanks to the Kalush Orchestra, Dmytro published a video in which a Ukrainian fighter sings the song “Stephania” during the bombing of a metallurgical plant.

On May 2, Dmytro Kozatskyi posted a photo of himself on Twitter, saying that it would be perfect for the “last shot.”

“Photography describes me best, even in the most terrible moments I can find something wonderful. But I think this photo will be just the beginning. The beginning of our liberation and victory,” Dmytro concluded his message.

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