Lithuanian magazine "VALSTYBĖ" recognises Mariupol defenders as People of the Year

"This photo of Mariupol defender Mykhailo Dianov went around the world and once again reminded us of the heroic struggle of Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol. At that time, the Azov battalion led by Denys Prokopenko, surrounded by much larger Russian forces, defended its positions at the Azovstal steel plant for three months," the editorial noted.

The magazine also explained its choice: "We have chosen the defenders of Mariupol as 'People of the World 2022': their sacrifice radically changed the course of the war and its perception."