The Russian Defense Ministry reported that conscripts are present in parts of the Russian armed forces participating in the military operation in Ukraine. Some of them were taken prisoner after “an attack by a sabotage group of the National Battalion.” The Ministry of Defense announced that it was withdrawing conscripts from the combat zone.
“Unfortunately, several facts of the presence of conscripts in parts of the Russian armed forces involved in a special military operation on the territory of Ukraine were discovered. Almost all such servicemen have already been withdrawn to Russian territory,” said Major General Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry.
Mr. Konashenkov also stated that some of them were captured. “One of the subdivisions performing logistic support tasks was attacked by a sabotage group of the national battalion. A number of servicemen, including conscripts, were captured,” he said. The Russian Defense Ministry said it was working on the release of military personnel.
Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry denied the presence of conscripts in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin also stated that conscripts are not involved in military operations in Ukraine. “Only professional military personnel solve the assigned tasks,” he said in an address on the occasion of March 8.
About the course of the 14th day of the military operation – in the online broadcast “Kommersant”.