The Russians had virtually no ammunition and some even had to share one assault rifle between two
Russian troops killed their commander after he tried to stop them from surrendering to Ukraine’s army, it has been reported. The soldiers were part of the recently mobilised reserve and had just arrived at the front. Vladimir Putin’s army has suffered a series of humiliating defeats on the battlefield in recent weeks.
Ukraine’s army has made spectacular advances in the northeast, east and south of the country as they continue their counteroffensive on a number of fronts.
The military setbacks have forced the Kremlin to shake up their military command yet again and introduce a nationwide “partial” mobilisation.
Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced in September a draft of 300,000 reservists to help boost frontline troops fighting in Ukraine.
The announcement led to a mass exodus of Russian men from the country, as they sought to escape the call-up.
Those unable to flee were forced to report for duty at military enlistment offices.
Ukraine’s military launched a hotline called “I want to live”, encouraging conscripted Russians to get in touch and promising them safety and humane treatment if they surrendered.
Now a group of Russian soldiers appear to have responded to the offer in a bid to avoid the slaughter at the front.
The men were sent to a hotspot within days of being called-up without either adequate training nor proper equipment.
The Russians had virtually no ammunition and some even had to share one assault rifle between two.
They were told in no uncertain circumstances by their commander that they would be shot if they attempted to retreat.
Realising the hopelessness of their situation, the soldiers secretly contacted Ukraine’s army via the hotline and agreed to surrender.
When the time came to lay down their arms, they shot their commander and handed themselves in.
Ukraine’s special forces told Channel 24: “A group of mobilised men, by prior arrangement, went out into the square indicated by our fighters.
“They had no ammunition, so they only gave us their weapons.
“They received medical assistance, because everyone was sick. They received food and were satisfied.
“They will go to the camp after interrogations. They’ll be safe.”
Reports emerged on Friday that Putin’s military recruiters were rounding up men on the streets and from their apartments in both Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
In Russia’s capital, police were reported were said to have sealed off the exits from an underground station as they handed young men their draft notices.
Igor Sushko, a Russian commentator, tweeted: “MASS #MOBILIZATION: In both #Moscow and Saint Petersburg in #Russia, people are being drafted right off of the streets, subway stations, and even at entrances of their apartment buildings.
“Putin’s enforcers physically block paths.”
The Russian president said on Friday about 220,000 men had been conscripted into the army.
He also stated that the draft would end within two weeks and “nothing additional” was being planned.
