Ukraine touts capture of large group of soldiers inside Russia
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Russians displaced by a Ukrainian incursion receive help at a Red Cross distribution point in the Kursk region.
PHOTO: AFP
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KYIV – Ukrainian special forces have captured a group of more than 100 Russian soldiers during Kyiv’s cross-border incursion
The 102 servicemen of Russia’s 488th Guards Motorised Rifle Regiment and its “Akhmat” unit are the largest group of soldiers to be captured at the same time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, the source said.
“They captured and cleared a sprawling, concrete and well-fortified company stronghold from all sides – with underground communications and personnel accommodation, a canteen, an armoury and even a bathhouse,” the source said.
Ukraine launched its surprise push into the Kursk region on Aug 6 and has claimed it is controlling an area that exceeds 1,000 sq km.
Pictures shared by the source showed dozens of Russian servicemen sitting or lying on the ground in a concrete bunker with their helmets and weapons piled up near the walls.
The source said the captured Russian servicemen would eventually be swopped for Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Ukraine’s human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said this week that he had talks with his Russian counterpart about an exchange of prisoners.
Ukraine and Russia regularly swop prisoners of war. The latest exchange was in July.
Ukrainian officials have said Kyiv has secured the return of 3,405 people from Russian captivity since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. REUTERS
