The Azovstal Iron and Steel Works, or Azovstal Metallurgical Combine, was a metallurgical facility located in Mariupol in eastern Ukraine, and one of the largest steel rolling companies in the country.
The National Guard of Ukraine is the Ukrainian national gendarmerie and internal military force. It is part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, responsible for public security. Originally created as an agency under the direct control of the Verkhovna Rada on 4 November 1991, following Ukrainian independence, it was later disbanded and merged into the Internal Troops of Ukraine in 2000 by then-President Leonid Kuchma as part of a "cost-saving" scheme. Following the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, amidst the Russian intervention, the National Guard was re-established, and the Internal Troops were disbanded.
The 12th Special Operations Brigade "Azov" is a formation of the National Guard of Ukraine formerly based in Mariupol, in the coastal region of the Sea of Azov, from which it derives its name. It was founded in May 2014 as the Azov Battalion, a self-funded volunteer militia under the command of Andriy Biletsky, to fight Russian-backed forces in the Donbas War. It was formally incorporated into the National Guard on 11 November 2014, and redesignated Special Operations Detachment "Azov", also known as the Azov Regiment. In February 2023, the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that Azov was to be expanded as a brigade of the new Offensive Guard.
The Shyrokyne standoff was a battle for the control of the strategic village of Shyrokyne, located approximately 11 km (6.8 mi) east of Mariupol city limits, between Ukrainian forces led by the Azov Regiment, and Russian-backed separatists, between February and July 2015. It was part of the larger war in Donbas. On 10 February 2015, the Azov Regiment launched a surprise offensive against pro-Russian separatists associated with the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) with the aim of pushing the separatist forces away from Mariupol city limits. The village is located just 10 km (6.2 mi) from the Ukrainian-controlled city of Mariupol, and was used as a launching point for separatist attacks on the city, which served as the administrative centre of Donetsk Oblast whilst DPR forces control Donetsk city. Fighting continued until 3 July 2015, when DPR forces unilaterally withdrew from Shyrokyne. Subsequently a cease-fire was declared in the area.
The Special Police Forces is a Ukrainian volunteer corps of law enforcement units, part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. It was originally created for prevention of criminal encroachment and defence of civil order on 15 April 2014, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. During the ongoing war in Donbas, the forces of the Special Tasks Patrol Police have fought against pro-Russian separatists as a paramilitary force.
The siege of Mariupol began on 24 February 2022 and lasted until 20 May, as part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It saw fighting between the Russian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Armed Forces for control over the city of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine. Lasting for almost three months, the siege ended in a victory for Russia and the Donetsk People's Republic, as Ukraine lost control of the city amidst Russia's eastern Ukraine offensive and southern Ukraine offensive; all Ukrainian troops remaining in the city surrendered at the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works on 20 May 2022, after they were ordered to cease fighting.
Denys Hennadiyovych Prokopenko is a Ukrainian military officer who is a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of Ukraine and Commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade "Azov", as well as a prominent participant of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Volodymyr Anatoliiovych Baraniuk is a Ukrainian military officer. He commanded the 36th Separate Marine Brigade from September 2021 to March 2022 and is best known for his role during the Siege of Mariupol.
The 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilinskyi was formed in 2015 from units withdrawn from the occupied Crimea – 1st and 501st Marine Battalion, which were previously part of Ukrainian 36th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade. The brigade has participated in the war in Donbas since its formation. In February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the majority of the brigade was located in Mariupol.
Illia Samoilenko is a Ukrainian serviceman, an intelligence officer of the Azov Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine, and a participant in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Dmytro Oleksandrovych Kozatskyi is a Ukrainian photographer, serviceman, senior soldier, and fighter of the Azov Battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine. He was awarded the Medal For Military Service to Ukraine (2022).
Serhii Yaroslavovych Volynskyi, also known as Serhii Volyna is a Ukrainian officer, Hero of Ukraine (2022), known for his role during the siege of Mariupol, in which he commanded the 36th Separate Marine Brigade.
"City of Mary", also known as "Misto Marii", is a 2022 single by Ukrainian band Okean Elzy. The song was released on 22 April 2022 as a music video, and released on 10 May 2022 on streaming platforms.
Ihor Bezohlyuk was a Ukrainian military serviceman, lieutenant colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and participant in the Russian-Ukrainian war. He was a Knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III degree (2022).
Marianna Merabivna Khomeriki is a Ukrainian communications specialist, servicewoman, Sergeant of "Azov" regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine, a combatant in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Kateryna Serhiivna Prokopenko is a Ukrainian illustrator, public activist, and volunteer. She is head of the Association of Azovstal Defenders' Families NGO and the "'Azovstal' Defenders' Families support" charitable fund. She is married to Denys Prokopenko.
Yuliia Volodymyrivna Fedosiuk is a Ukrainian philosopher and religious scholar and civic activist. Head of the public organization "Silver Rose".
Bohdan Oleksandrovych Krotevych is a Ukrainian serviceman, Major of the National Guard of Ukraine, acting commander of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov Brigade, a participant of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Oleh Serhiiovych Khomenko was a Ukrainian serviceman, podpolkovnik of the National Guard of Ukraine, defender of Mariupol, participant of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Hero of Ukraine (2022).
The 12th Brigade of Operational Assignment was a military formation of the National Guard of Ukraine. It was part of the Eastern operational territorial association. It was based in Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast.
