Operators from one of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated and captured Russian soldiers who had executed two fighters from Ukraine's Territorial Defense just a few days prior, reported the SOF.
It is noted that the operation to neutralize this enemy group and recover the bodies of the Ukrainian soldiers was meticulously planned.
"When the SOF operators moved out to carry out special actions, they eliminated part of the execution squad and forced the others to surrender. The captured Russians turned out to be marines from the 40th Arctic Brigade," the statement said.
The SOF highlighted that during interrogation, the captured Russians admitted they had taken two members of the Territorial Defense forces prisoner a few days ago and reported this to their platoon commander. The commander ordered the Russians over the radio to execute the Ukrainian soldiers. The Territorial Defense fighters heard this and fled, but they were immediately fired upon by the Russian military with call signs "Yary," "Lebed," "Boom," and "Bely."
"The last three were eliminated by SOF operators during the special actions, but 'Yary' along with two others were captured. They are already providing testimony. All the captives turned out to be contract soldiers who have been serving in the Russian army for just a month and a half," the SOF added.
Prisoner Exchange on January 15
Recall that on January 15, Ukraine returned 25 seriously ill and wounded military personnel and civilians from Russian captivity.
"These individuals endured a lot without proper medical care and faced inhumane treatment in hostile captivity. The wounded suffered from vision loss, amputations, complex gunshot wounds, and the consequences of mine-explosive injuries. Among the illnesses were tuberculosis, cancer, and gangrene, which clearly indicates the conditions our people have to endure," stated the announcement from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.