25.02.2022, Moscow.
More than 150 Ukrainian servicemen have already laid down their weapons during a military special operation between Russia and the republics of Donbass, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said to reporters on February 25.
Konashenkov said, “More than 150 servicemen of various Ukrainian security agencies laid down their arms and surrendered in the course of hostilities.”
According to him, 82 Ukrainian servicemen in the area of Zmeiiny Island voluntarily surrendered to the Russian military. Now they are taking signatures from them to refuse to participate in military actions and they will be able to return home in the near future, he added.
In addition, 11 servicemen from the 53rd separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army surrendered near Nikolayevsk. One of the units of the 36th separate brigade of the Ukrainian marines made contact with the DPR People’s Militia and requested a corridor to enter the territory of the republic. After surrendering their weapons, they will also be able to return to their families, a representative of the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Konashenkov stressed that once the situation in the area of hostilities stabilizes, all surrendered Ukrainian servicemen will be released home.
On 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a military special operation to demilitarize Ukraine. In his address, he said that circumstances “require us to act decisively and immediately, the People’s Republics of Donbass have asked Russia for help.”
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency