About 20 Ukrainian servicemen have arrived in the Kursk region, a representative of the Russian security forces told RIA Novosti.
“Twenty-four servicemen of the 22nd separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrendered in an organized manner to the Russian army near the village of Komarovka, in the direction of Kursk,” a Russian military spokesman told RIA Novosti on August 17.
A video of the prisoners’ escort, filmed from a drone, was released by the agency.
For the surrender, a Telegram channel FREE_SOLDIER2022, specially created for this purpose, was used by the Ukrainian military, RIA reported.
Fighting continues in the Kursk region. The Ukrainian army launched an offensive there on August 6. According to Russian estimates, 12,000 soldiers are participating. On August 16, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have eliminated 2,860 enemy troops since August 6.
Ukrainian breakthrough attempts were reported yesterday in the area, with Russian aircraft and artillery intervening on several hot spots. Lancet drones also severely tested Ukrainian formations in the Sumy region. FAB gliding bombs hit Kiev positions south of Kremyanoye.
A Coordination Council to secure border regions
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on August 15 the creation of a Coordination Council to secure the border regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, while more than 120,000 people have been evacuated from the latter.
Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to push the enemy out of the territory during a meeting on August 12 with the authorities of the border regions and the command of the security forces. The Russian president also judged that kyiv was seeking to improve its positions for upcoming negotiations, and to “sow discord, break our national unity and strike at home.”
In total, 28 localities were under Ukrainian control on August 11 and the fate of about 2,000 people remained unknown, according to the acting governor of the Kursk region.
