Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Lee Bullen & Graeme Murray

'Singing soldier of Azovstal' belts out song as she inspires Ukrainians against Russia

A singing soldier has belted out a song to inspire Ukrainians in their war against Russia and show she is alive and well after rumours of her death.

The footage was filmed at the Azovstal iron and steel plant in the under-siege Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

Fighters of the Azov Battalion, a unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, are currently holed up in the battered Mariupol plant.

The video shows combat medic Kateryna Ptashka, dubbed the 'Singing Soldier of Azovstal' singing at a march of Ukrainian nationalists has been seen by anyone who knows how to use the internet.

It shows she is alive and well after rumours of her death.

Kateryna became known for singing below the Azovstal steelworks (@nik.mark.186/Newsflash)
The combat medic showed she was 'alive and well' (@nik.mark.186/Newsflash)

The National Guard of Ukraine said: "Her singing conquered all of Ukraine.

"A few days ago, it was reported that the Azovstal paramedic, Kateryna Ptashka, had died as a result of Russian bombing.

"However, Kateryna is alive and well! Her magical singing can be heard every day.

"She rescues wounded civilians and soldiers and promises to "shoot the knees" of anyone who writes about her 'death'."

Kateryna sings a national song in the darkness beneath the plant (@nik.mark.186/Newsflash)

Footage released earlier this week shows the Azov paramedic, aged 21, singing in a bombed warehouse with other soldiers.

Kateryna, who comes from the village of Sosnivka near Shums'k, graduated from music school and used to take part in different theatrical productions after joining the theatre company Suzirya.

Two years ago, Kateryna moved to Kyiv and got a job at a motorbike school.

At the same time, she developed an interest in history and became politically active, joining a human rights group and taking part in protests.

Last year, she underwent training to become a paramedic and travelled to the war zone in Donbas to help the Ukrainian military.

She initially kept her role in the Donbas a secret from her parents and eventually told them when she was on the frontline.

The combat medic graduated from music school and used to take part in different theatrical productions (Newsflash)
Her performances lifted the morale of Ukraine fighters (Newsflash)

Today, she cheers up her colleagues in the Azov Battalion with songs to lift their spirits and continue the stand against the Russian invaders.

The Mirror, meanwhile, told earlier how Ukraine’s spy boss claimed a coup is now under way at the Kremlin to remove Vladimir Putin who is ill with cancer.

Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine has seemingly gone far from plan for Putin with his forces having struggled to make serious inroads since it was launched on February 24.

The Azovstal Iron and Steel Works behind apartment buildings damaged during Ukraine-Russia conflict (REUTERS)

Dogged resistance from Ukrainian fighters coupled with a lack of determination from his own forces has led to war of attrition.

The Russian president was unable to announce any great breakthrough at the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow where he also appeared frail and used a blanket to keep warm.

Rumours are now rife that Putin is seriously ill with some claims that he is suffering from cancer.

The destroyed facilities of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupul, Ukraine (REUTERS)

Ukraine’s head of military intelligence, Major General Kyrylo Budanov has said that a coup is now under way in Russia to remove Putin.

He is also confident Ukraine will have defeated the Russian invasion by the end of the year and the turning point will be in August.

General Budanov is convinced that the loss for Russia will lead to Putin being removed from power.

"It will eventually lead to the change of leadership of the Russian Federation. This process has already been launched and they are moving into that way," he told Sky News.

Asked if a coup has already started he replied: "Yes. They are moving in this way and it is impossible to stop it."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.