Military hospital No. 555 in Mariupol is the closest to the front line. The place where wounded are sent immediately. Doctors here provide care non-stop during the day and night – from the first days of the war to the present day.

Fully equipped with modern expert medical equipment. A polyclinic, surgery, resuscitation and intensive care department, traumatology, neurology, and therapy worked there. On the basis of infectious diseases, a department for patients with coronavirus disease has been deployed. There is a dental department with a modern mobile dental office.

On July 16, 2022, the Mariupol Military Hospital No. 555 was supposed to celebrate its first anniversary. But on February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale attack on the peaceful cities of Ukraine. The hospital was located in the Kalmius district near the Ilyicha plant. Next to the “Neptune” swimming pool. The hospital received a huge number of wounded, and not only military, but also civilians. And from the very first days of the invasion, the Russian military systematically attacked the hospital buildings with all possible means – mortars, artillery and aerial bombs. They destroyed hospitals in a targeted manner, knowing that there were civilians there. Knowing that there are wounded. Knowing that people are in need of medical aid there. That is why they beat as much as they could.

On March 16, as a result of an airstrike, the last working building of the hospital was destroyed. Those who managed to survive – both doctors and wounded – relocated to the locations of the Illicha and Azovstal plants. After some time, they were captured by the Russian army. And now for almost a year military medics have been held hostage in the Russian concentration camps.

We collected testimonies of doctors who were in the hospital at that time. You should all know about Russia’s crimes. No military medic should remain in captivity. We call on the international community – help save military medics from the hell of Russian captivity!

On April 12, 2023 – a terrible anniversary of captivity – of all the medics who provided assistance to wounded and needy military and civilian people who tried to hide from shelling in one of the last remaining shelters of Mariupol – on the territory of the plant named Ilyicha. They are NON-COMBATANTS – these people have never held a weapon in their hands! They saved people’s lives day and night, without sleep or rest… In the basements of factory premises, filled to the brim with the wounded, where the stinking smell of rotting limbs, human excrement and streams of blood mingled and became daily… where rats were people’s usual neighbors, where the wounded civil servants shared the last piece of bread with women, old people and children.
In the basements, which at any second could turn into mass graves for their inhabitants. In the basements where many people remained forever, smashed under the rubble in a result of regular airstrikes.
Right in this critical situation, the main weapon in the hands of the medics at the Ilyich plant was their deep devotion to their profession and the desperate round-the-clock struggle for the life of each wounded person. As a result, thousands of human lives were saved.
We appeal to the world community – not to remain indifferent! FREEDOM TO THE CAPTIVE MEDICS OF MARIUPOL! Even during the wartime, medics must be guaranteed protection, safety and the opportunity to carry out their activities without obstacles.
Freedom to these people who, by risking their own lives, gave the opportunity to live for the others.