Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
Ukrainians are demanding the release of the mother of a young girl who they say was snatched by Russian troops during an evacuation from Azovstal steelworks.
Military doctor Victoria Obidina was allegedly taken by Russian soldiers during an evacuation from the metallurgical plant in besieged Mariupol on Sunday, May 8.
Her four-year-old daughter who wants her mum back is said to be safe and sound, and is being looked after by a Ukrainian family from Zaporizhzhia for the time being.
The youngster was separated from her mother as Ukrainians celebrated Mother’s Day.
Victoria’s capture was reported by the Azov Regiment, which said: “The mother remained in a filtration camp on the territory of the so-called DPR [Donetsk People’s Republic].
“Only the child arrived at the destination in Zaporizhzhia today, on Mother’s Day, the mother’s whereabouts are currently unknown!”
Ukrainian media believe the mother is being held in a so-called ‘filtration camp’ in Mangush, which is under the administration of the pro-Russia DPR.
The girl was found to be traveling on the evacuation bus to Zaporizhzhia alone.
After the story did the rounds on social media, Ukrainian netizens have been calling for the mother’s immediate release.
Little Alice was already known among her fellow compatriots following a widely-viewed video showing her hiding with her mum in a bunker under the steelworks.
At the time of the recording, the pair had been holed up there for over a month, and Alice melted hearts when she said in the video that she wanted to go home.
