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After liberation from Russian captivity, Ukrainian marine Mykhailo Dianov dreams to witness the day when all Ukrainian defenders finally return home.
Now Mykhailo Dianov has a long treatment in a foreign clinic ahead. After return to Ukraine, Ukrainian soldier dreams to start his own metal processing business.
TSN.ua has gathered key statements from Azovstal defender’s interview.
Senior Sergeant Mykhailo Dianov of AFU’s 36th Independent Marine Brigade, is a man with injured arm from famous photo that caused much resonance on social media. Now his missing 4 cm of bone at the injured site and has long treatment and rehabilitation ahead.
He claims that many people he meets express gratitude to him for defence of Mariupol and protection of Ukraine’s freedom.
"Almost everyone tells the same things: Thank you, thank you, thank you!”, Dianov noted.
Azovstal defender says that that his new popularity has even made it difficult to him to shop at the grocery store.
"You come to store and constantly get distracted by people who ask to take selfie with you. I understand them. I guess I would also want to take a photo with someone like me”, he shares.
The soldier confess that he didn’t even know why he came to the store that time. “It happens sometimes – you go shopping without clear purpose and then just buy something you’ve just noticed and liked. Maybe, it’s a toy, maybe it’s a small statue. No idea”, he responded.
The soldier will go for treatment to a foreign clinic, where the sponsors promise to cover his medical costs.
"The sponsors who offered to help me with my medical fees told me that I would go for treatment to the United States, but the treatment process would probably take a long time”, he says.
The man is still not sure when exactly he will board his flight. He only expects to receive his restored ID documents on Wednesday, October 5th.
"I have no ID documents at all. I only have a copy of my passport, but I’ve lost my military ID. I hope soon they will issue me the new documents”, he explains.
Also, according to the defender, due to upcoming long-term treatment in the United States he doesn’t even know when he will be able to visit his home city of Ternopil again.
“As for Ternopil, I don’t know anything right now, maybe soon I’ll have a chance to briefly travel there”, he summarizes.
Mykhailo Dianov from Mariupol garrison dreams about opening his own metal processing business. According to him, he has always dreamed about it, but never had enough money, so now, he hopes, his dream will eventually come true.
"I’m going to open my own metalwork shop. As for my treatment, there are some sponsors willing to cover my medical fees. I was told that I shouldn’t worry, and everything would be alright. These are people I can trust. Maybe, I will tell you later, but for now I’m not authorized to disclose this kind of information. I’ve always dreamed about having my own shop, but I knew that equipment was too expensive. I’ve watched many videos on YouTube and looks for affordable equipment”, the marine admits.
According to Dianov, metal work has been his hobby since childhood, since his father worked at the plant with an access to metal processing machinery.
"My dad worked at the bus depot, where he was responsible for repair of carburetors. I often came to visit him at the workplace. His shop was on the second floor, and on the first floor there was a large room with many turning and milling machines. As soon as I saw them, I immediately came to my dad and said that I wanted to make my own knife. Then the dad said: “take a valve, go to the forgery shop, so they will unclench it for you, and you will have work piece to work on”. So I made my first knife, and then my second knife”, he recalls.
According to the marine, one of the first knives he made together with his father is still at the family kitchen.
Defender of Mariupol Mykhailo Dianov says that he is waiting for the return from captivity of his fellow soldier who saved his life. Mikhail Dianov says that his colleague did not manage to make it to Azovstal because of a powerful airstrike. At first, the Ukrainian soldier thought his friend was dead, but he saw him at the penal colony in Olenivka.
"I am personally waiting for the return from captivity of the man who saved my life. He, unfortunately, did not make it to Azovstal. His legs were broken. Then there was a powerful airstrike: I was thrown to one side, and him to the other. We didn't find him at that time. I thought that was it - he was gone. However, I saw him in Olenivka. He was fighting against aircrafts with MANPADs. Believe me, it is like fighting against tanks with submachine guns. He stayed there, he has big problems with his leg. He needs a surgery and rehabilitation. Still, everybody has to come back, this is something everyone deserves equally," Mykhailo Dianov emphasized.
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