"Cyborg" with perfect English: what we know about Illya Samoilenko, officer who gave historic press conference from Azovstal

Particular attention was paid to the Intelligence officer of the Azov Regiment with perfect English - Illya Samoilenko.

Combat experience

Although Ukrainians called Donetsk airport defenders "Cyborgs", Illya Samoilenko fits this nickname well. In combat, he lost his left arm; the titanium-steel mechanical prosthesis replaced it. Illya also lost his right eye, and now he has artificial ones.

"I blew up on my own ammunition when installing wires because a Russian shell fell beside me. Suddenly shelling began when I mined territory. In my hands I had an ammunition fuse and it detonated by the explosive wave. It all hit right in my face, arm, leg. Nearby were friends, they put a bandage on me. Then I felt how important medical courses for soldiers were. I think if it happened to me in 2014, that year I would have died," he recalled an episode of injury in an interview in 2019.

The splinter stuck near the carotid artery, the hand was smashed. However, after being wounded he returned to service, because he didn't reach the goals set before him - to end the war. Even before the February aggravation he was afraid of political compromise that wouldn't allow them to return all Russian-seized land.

"If not very skillful diplomats agree on a peace, all soldiers remain with nothing. Because here we fought, shed blood, and died. And they say: 'All right, guys, enough. That's it.' I'm afraid that we'll have a scenario of some obscure negotiations and not a forced solution. Thus we won't have any voting rights and choice. It's wrong to waste motivated people's resources. It's so scary that all 5 years can pass in vain," said Samoilenko three years ago.

Before and after war

Illya Samoilenko went to war in 2015 when he was 21 years old.

"I had friends here who called me. And my desire to fight is understanding yourself as a citizen. As in ancient Greece: Want to be a citizen? Welcome to military service. In 2015 I finally decided to go."

Samoilenko mentions Ancient times for a reason. By profession he is a historian. Although he didn't graduate from the historical faculty of Kyiv National University. He dreams to finish his studies after the victory.

Illya has a well-known mother, at least in cinematography. Alla Samoilenko is the most famous casting director of Ukrainian cinema. She made Ukrainian actors participate in projects in Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, UK, and had found actors for more than 60 films, including such films of recent years as "Loyal" and "My thoughts are quiet."

Now Alla Samoilenko isn't only worried about her son, but afraid that eventually the truth about events in Mariupol will be hidden.

"I'm watching how the social network is being cleared of 'inconvenient' issues by the authorities related to Mariupol and Azov. I advise everyone who posts or comments on this topic to copy what has been written so that they can post them again in case of deletion. Society needs heroization. Relatives need their sons, fathers and brothers alive. When I look at Illya, his friends, I think that they should build a new Ukraine. Smart, educated, Soviet-free, ideological, with a keen sense of justice, with a clear picture of the world, with responsibility for words and deeds. As a society we need them alive. I hope a miracle will happen," wrote Illya Samoilenko's mother.

Battle of Mariupol

Samoilenko's fears of war preparations partly came true in 2022, when Azov Regiment soldiers were encircled in Mariupol.

"Our state failed to protect Mariupol, officials sabotaged our preparation. We haven't received any Dzhavelins or new weapons, new vehicles. We didn't get any support," said Samoilenko during the press conference from Azovstal.

From February 24 to April 15 the Mariupol defenders of Mariupol neutralized 2,500 and wounded 5,000 Russians. And all this was without air support and artillery.

"The problem is that many government officials sabotaged the defense of Ukraine over the past few years. This war didn't begin on February 24. We constantly emphasize it. Our preparation was sabotovana by government officials. They all just prevented us from preparing to defend," said Samoilenko.

The officer said because the defense of Mariupol wasn't prepared, the Azov Regiment had to take responsibility for the city itself.  And they are ready to carry it to the end.

"Yes, we can just leave weapons and surrender... we knew all the time that the Azov doesn't have a chance for survival if we are taken captive. To surrender is unacceptable for us, because we can't make such a great gift for Russians... being prisoners means death for Azov fighters," said Samoilenko.

For those who haven't watched: Azov Regiment press conference on May 8 from Azovstal in Mariupol which Russians encircled, which Espreso broadcasted.