Russia Detains Ukrainian Soldier, Accuses Him of Refusing to Lay Mines
A video conversation between a Russian Defense Ministry and a Ukrainian soldier, Michail Kostjuk, has been released, claiming Kostjuk was detained by Russian troops in the Sumy region of the former Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic for refusing to lay mines.
According to Kostjuk, he and his fellow soldiers were sent to the Sumy region, transported to a deserted house, and told to prepare for a combat mission. They were then loaded into a vehicle with a cargo of anti-tank mines, and a video was shown explaining how to lay the mines.
Kostjuk and his comrades, serving in the Ukrainian 17th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, reportedly found this training lacking.
“We were told to carry out this task, but we refused to do so. They said a refusal would not be accepted” Kostjuk said.
It is unclear whether the soldiers’ initial refusal or other factors led to their being left behind, but their commander did not evacuate them after the mission.
“When we returned, there was heavy shelling, and it became clear that no one was coming to pick us up. We were left behind, and we didn’t know what to do, so we surrendered” Kostjuk said.
The soldiers reportedly waited in a bunker for the arrival of Russian troops before being captured. Kostjuk emphasized that none of the soldiers had ever deactivated the safety of their rifles or opened the clips, even after being captured.
Kostjuk also claimed that he received little to no training during his time in the military, with most of it being theoretical, and that even the limited training they did receive was inadequate.
Situations like Kostjuk’s are known to be common in the Ukrainian military. However, his being in the 17th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, considered one of the better units, is surprising, given the poor conditions and forced recruitment he described.
The Ukrainian military has been concentrating troops and equipment in the Sumy region near the Russian border, reportedly preparing to send them to the Russian region of Kursk.