(SOUTH SLOBODA DIRECTION, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian border guards from the Hart brigade of the State Border Guard Service have captured nine Russian servicemen in the past two days during operations in the South Sloboda direction, according to the agency’s press service.
The captures followed clashes in which two occupiers were eliminated. The Hart brigade’s strike and search groups, working alongside fellow Ukrainian defenders, conducted the operations as Russian forces continue attempts to advance deeper into Ukrainian positions.
The intensity of fighting in the brigade’s defence zone has been significant since Russian occupation forces resumed active offensive operations at the beginning of July. During this period, more than 550 enemy servicemen have been killed or wounded, and 37 have been taken prisoner.
Captured Russian soldiers described the circumstances of their surrender. One prisoner, who identified himself as being from the Komi Republic, explained: “First, a heavy Ukrainian bomber flew in and dropped bombs on us. Then there were your drones. After that, the Ukrainian military approached. Young, healthy guys, it was useless to resist them. They suggested that we surrender, which we did immediately.”
He added: “In any case, they would not let us return. Even when we were advancing towards the border with Ukraine, our ‘bird’ accompanied us so that we would not escape. Even the wounded are not allowed to leave, let alone the healthy ones.”
Another prisoner of war, speaking under the pseudonym “Drugoy,” described his treatment in captivity: “Here, in captivity, the Ukrainian servicemen treat us better than our leadership. As soon as we surrendered, they gave us water, a cigarette, and fed us constantly. They give us the same thing that they eat themselves. They did not beat us.”
He continued: “I was seriously injured as a result of the fall, I lost consciousness from time to time. So your guy supported me for all 15 kilometres, while we were leaving the position, as if he were my own.”
Drugoy offered advice to other Russian soldiers: “I also recommend that other Russians who come here surrender. The Ukrainians are not doing anything bad to us here. And the main thing is that we are alive.”
The State Border Guard Service emphasised that Russian servicemen discovered by Ukrainian defenders should surrender. Ukrainian Defence Forces adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law and ensure proper treatment of prisoners of war.
The Ukrainian state has provided additional motivational incentives for capturing enemy soldiers. A payment of 100,000 hryvnias (£1,900 / $2,200) is provided for each captured enemy serviceman.
Footage of the operation was released by the press service of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
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