Anti-Putin Group Takes Two Russian Soldiers Hostage on Ukrainian Border

CNN Indonesia

Monday, 05 Jun 2023 02:32 WIB

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Anti-President group Vladimir Putin took two soldiers hostage Russia in Belgorod, Sunday (4/6). The governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, also said he was willing to meet with the group.

At first, Gladkov actually doubted that the two Russian soldiers were still alive. According to him, it is very likely that the anti-Putin group had executed the soldier who was being held hostage.

“However, if they are still alive, around 5-6pm [mari bertemu] at the Shebekino checkpoint. I guarantee security,” Gladkov said in the quoted video message Reuters.

Gladkov released the video about three hours after two anti-Putin groups claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in the Land of Red Bear region on the Ukrainian border.

The two groups consist of the Russian Freedom Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps.

In a video released on Freedom Russia’s Telegram channel, the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps said they had also taken two Russian soldiers hostage.

In the video, the two soldiers are also shown while lying on the operating table in a state of injury.

“Today until 17.00, you have the opportunity to communicate unarmed and bring home two Russian citizens, ordinary soldiers whom you and your political leadership sent to massacre,” the two groups said in a joint statement.

While the hostage-taking issue is not over, the Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that their forces are working to contain a series of attacks by groups on the Ukrainian border.

Gladkov also acknowledged that his area was facing an attack from “Ukrainian saboteurs” in the town of Novaya Talvozhanka, near the border with Ukraine.

Shortly after that, the Russian Ministry of Defense again announced that they had succeeded in breaking up the group’s power. The group is said to have returned to Ukraine.

Attacks on the Russian territory bordering Ukraine have indeed increased in recent times. Russia accuses the anti-Putin groups of being supported by Ukraine.

However, Ukraine continues to deny the accusations. They even accused Russia of deliberately instigating the attack in order to have an excuse to strike back at Ukraine.

(has)