The first words after release – Nadiya Savchenko’s full speech at Boryspil airport on May 25, 2016

On May 25 Nadiya Savchenko finally stepped on Ukrainian land. At the airport she addressed the journalists and those who came to meet her.

“I spent two years in prison! Respect personal space! I am speaking in a way all of you will hear. I spent two years in prison! I became estranged from people! I’ll be sharp! I’m free!

I want to apologize to all mothers whose children have not returned from the ATO, and I am still alive. I want to apologize to those mothers whose children sit are in captivity, and I am free.

I want to tell you. No, I will not return the dead, but I am always ready to put my life for Ukraine on the battlefield again. I will do all in my power so that every child who is in captivity will be released. None of Ukrainian heroes should die.  It is advantageous when the heroes are dead; it is bad when they are alive. Everyone has problems, but we will live and heroes will be in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Heroes will be in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, to the envy of the Russian Duma, and they will be the glory of Ukraine, in gratitude to the Ukrainian people.

Our parliament will consist of those who are worthy of it. Our life in Ukraine will be worthy of man’s dignity. I do not know how to do it, I can say it honestly. I will not promise that it will be tomorrow. I’ll tell you that I am ready to die every moment for it to happen. And it will!

I am very grateful to all the people for fighting for me and for everyone through me, believe me, whether I am the first or someone else could have been the first, you were fighting for everyone who will be free.

If people did not speak, politicians would be silent forever. Thank you, all people, thank you all. I want to say thank you to those who wished me good, because thanks to you I have survived. I want to say thanks to those who wanted to harm me, because I have survived to spite you. I want to say thank you to those who were indifferent, thank you for not interfering. Thank you all…

I beg you, do not touch me, and just don’t come too close! I became so estranged from tactile sensations. You see?

If everyone wants to shake my hand, there will be nothing left of me. All will be well, believe me, just let me not become a whore, let me not become a bad thing, let me, after all this … And I will do everything so that you are not disappointed in me…

I will answer all your questions, all obscene questions, good questions, believe me, I’m not afraid of anything.”