Spox Voloshyn: Russia sends special contingent to south of prisoners and sick

This was reported by Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, in a comment to Ukrinform.

According to him, the relevant plans concern the units of the Russian military group “East.”

“To complete the enemy assault units of the Russian military group ‘East’ during January 2026, they must send more than 1,300 people from the special contingent and people with hepatitis C,” he said. The spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces emphasized that the enemy is using these people specifically in assault units.

“The Russians are sending people with hepatitis C and members of the special contingent — prisoners — to the southern front in assault units,” Voloshin said. According to him, these personnel are being recruited from various regions of the Russian Federation.

“These personnel will be selected from the Moscow and Central Russian military districts,” the spokesman added.

As reported by Ukrinform, the total combat losses of Russian troops in manpower from February 24, 2022, to January 30, 2026, reached about 1,238,710 people.

Photo provided by V. Voloshyn