Ukrainian soldier hits back after rapper mocks his appearance following Russian captivity (video)
Oleksandr Kiriienko and Azealia Banks (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Oleksandr Kiriienko, a soldier from the 36th Separate Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who spent nearly two years in captivity in a Russian penal colony and was tortured there, publicly responded to American rapper Azealia Banks for her cynical comments.
What Azealia Banks said about Kiriienko
The American rapper sparked outrage after reposting a post that compared the appearance of Ukrainian serviceman Oleksandr Kiriienko before and after his time in Russian captivity.
The post said, "Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Kiriienko before and after his release from Russian captivity."
It also included photos showing his physical transformation. The images clearly show he suffered extreme emaciation: his body became very thin, his skin sagged, and his bones—especially in the chest, abdomen, and legs—were prominently visible.
Azealia Banks cruelly mocked the Ukrainian marine (screenshot)
His arms and legs appear fragile, and medical bandages or wrappings can be seen on his lower limbs.
Under the photos, the rapper added a highly cynical comment:
"Well, something needed to stop his fat *ss from eating," she wrote.
This post triggered a wave of backlash. Most commenters condemned Banks' words as cruel and unacceptable.
Azealia Banks (photo: instagram.com/azealiabanksforever)
In response to her post, many users openly criticized her, and some even issued threats.
What the marine said in response
In a video address, Kiriienko said, "I support freedom of speech, but our conscience and honor should impose certain limits."
"Azealia, I hope that none of your loved ones ever experience the kind of 'diet' Ukrainian POWs go through: constant humiliation, beatings, starvation," he emphasized.
He also reminded the public of the historical injustices suffered by the African American community and drew a parallel to his own experience of captivity.
"African Americans have lived through tragedy, and I have personally felt how captivity can break a human soul," said the soldier.
Kiriienko called for humanity and responsibility for one's words.
"Torture is a crime. Captivity has no place in a civilized world. Humans are made for freedom and understanding. I teach my children this too: I teach them to take responsibility for every word they say because words are the seeds of actions. Every global tragedy began with some wrong word," he added.
Kiriienko has served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2014. In April 2022, he was taken prisoner after leaving the Illich Steel and Iron Works plant.
He spent nearly two years in Penal Colony No. 10 in Mordovia and returned home on February 5, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange. During his captivity, he lost 40 kilograms.
