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Ukraine’s “Ptashka,” Who Survived Russian Captivity, Receives First Lord Ashcroft Award for Courage
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Ukrainian servicewoman and former Russian prisoner of war Kateryna Polishchuk, widely known by her call sign “Ptashka” (Birdie), has become the first recipient of the Lord Ashcroft Award for Courage , presented during the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland.
The recognition was announced by Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 13.
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Polishchuk, who gained widespread recognition for her role in defending Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant during Russia's siege of the city in 2022, received the award in recognition of her courage and continued service to Ukraine.
At the age of 21, she worked as a volunteer paramedic at Azovstal, providing medical assistance to wounded Ukrainian defenders under constant Russian bombardment. She was subsequently captured by Russian forces and spent four months in captivity before returning to Ukraine and resuming her frontline service.
During her participation in the Warsaw Security Forum, Polishchuk addressed Russia's war crimes, the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war, attacks on civilian cities, Ukrainian-Polish relations, and the importance of continued European involvement in supporting Ukraine.
She also warned European countries about the threat posed by Russia and emphasized the need for a coordinated response to its actions.
“I received an award for exceptional courage. I consider this award not a personal recognition, but an acknowledgment of the courage and strength of every man and woman who defends the world against Russia,” Polishchuk wrote.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised Polishchuk's resilience, describing her experience as a reflection of the determination demonstrated by Ukrainian defenders throughout Russia's full-scale invasion.
“Russia tried to break Kateryna, but failed. Her story embodies the strength of spirit of Ukrainians who continue fighting for freedom despite Russian crimes. Kateryna's call sign is Ptashka. Russia tried to put her in a cage, but could not. Because Ptashka proved stronger than Russia. And if Ptashka endured, Ukraine will endure too,” Sybiha said.
The foreign minister also drew attention to the continued detention of Ukrainian soldiers captured during the defense of Mariupol. According to him, more than 700 defenders of Azovstal remain in Russian captivity, with Ukrainian authorities continuing to pursue their release through prisoner exchanges.
Sybiha also condemned Russia's treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war, particularly members of the Azov Brigade, and recalled the killing of at least 53 Ukrainian POWs at the Olenivka detention facility.
He stressed that those responsible must be held accountable regardless of how much time passes.
“The reason for this particular treatment is the unbreakable spirit of our warriors. They embody true Ukrainian courage. That is why the Russians are trying to break them. And that is why we must make every effort to bring them home,” the minister added.
Highlighting the broader scale of alleged Russian violations of international humanitarian law, Sybiha cited United Nations findings indicating that more than 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of war had experienced torture, while nearly all released detainees returned home severely weakened by starvation.
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According to the figures cited by the minister, one Ukrainian serviceman lost 77 kilograms during five months in Russian captivity. The UN has also documented 129 executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war and 48 deaths in captivity.
Sybiha further stated that Russia holds Ukrainian detainees at more than 300 locations to which the International Committee of the Red Cross has been denied access.
As of July 2026, at least 38 Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Azov Brigade who survived the 2022 explosion at the Olenivka detention facility have been convicted or are facing prosecution in Russia, the Media Initiative for Human Rights (MIHR) reported on July 28, marking the fourth anniversary of the attack.
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