Russian soldiers fleeing combat positions – intercept

Russian troops are abandoning their comrades and leaving combat positions.

This is evidenced by a conversation between a Russian unit commander and a subordinate intercepted by specialists of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), Ukrinform reports.

In the latest intercept, a Russian commander orders his subordinates, if the opportunity arises, to capture and disarm a deserter from Moscow, who had beaten his fellow serviceman and fled.

"If possible, disarm him if you come across him; he will come to the post to spend the night. An Ossetian, most likely of that nationality. Disarm and tie him up," the commander says.

The Russian soldier abandoned his combat position while still armed.

HUR earlier intercepted a conversation in which a Russian commander ordered that severely wounded soldiers be left behind at their positions.