Ukraine's security service has released video footage purportedly showing 10 Russian paratroopers who were captured by the army in the war-torn east of the country.
The UBS said it had opened a criminal probe after soldiers from the 98th airborne division based in central Russia were detained near the village of Dzerkalne, around 30 miles (50km) from rebel-held Donetsk.
A Ukrainian military spokesman said the men were on a "special mission".
But Russian military sources quoted by state news agencies have claimed the soldiers crossed the border by mistake.
Ukraine's President Poroshenko has arrived in Belarus for crucial talks In footage posted on the official Facebook page of the Ukrainian government's "anti-terrorist operation," the men were shown dressed in camouflage fatigues.
One of them, who identified himself as Ivan Melchyakov, listed his personal details, including the name of the paratroop regiment he said is based in the Russian town of Kostroma.
"I did not see where we crossed the border. They just told us we were going on a 70-kilometre march over three days," he said.
"Everything is different here, not like they show it on television. We've come as cannon fodder," he said in the video.
Ukraine's Defence Minister Valeriy Geletey said the soldiers were captured on Monday.
"Officially they are at exercises in various corners of Russia.
Separatists walk in front of garages set ablaze by shelling in Donetsk "In reality, they are participating in military aggression against Ukraine and their families know nothing about their true fate.
"I am addressing the relatives of Russian servicemen: find out immediately where your loved ones are. Take them out of Ukraine, where they are being forced to die."
The videos emerged as Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko prepares to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin for the first time in months alongside top EU officials.
Even as the Ukrainian president landed outside Minsk, his country's military said an attack by Russian separatists on the town of Novoazovsk was ongoing.
A spokesman said a hospital was on fire and 12 Ukrainian service personnel had been killed in the last 24 hours - while government forces had destroyed 12 armoured infantry carriers in the area using artillery and aircraft.
Ukrainian soldiers inspect their bus, which was destroyed in fighting Kiev also claimed four guards were killed in an attack on a border post by Russian MI-24 helicopters on Monday.
Mr Poroshenko has pledged to "talk peace" with President Putin, but insists the withdrawal of pro-Kremlin forces is the only way to end the conflict.
Kiev has accused its neighbour of stoking the separatist insurgency but this is the first time authorities have claimed to have captured Russian soldiers.
Moscow continues to deny any involvement in the rebellion.
Russian tanks and armoured vehicles are reported to have crossed the border near the towns of Shcherbak and Novoazovsk.
Associated Press reporters say they saw three similar military convoys driving through the town of Krasnodon last week, coming from the direction of Russia.
Mr Poroshneko has dissolved Ukraine's parliament and called early elections, accusing some politicians of supporting the rebels in the conflict, which has left more than 2,000 dead.
"Snap parliament polls are part of my peace plan," he said, adding a change of leadership was vital to stop the fighting.
Meanwhile, Moscow has announced plans to send another aid convoy into eastern Ukraine "this week".
Russia unilaterally sent about 230 lorries carrying what it claimed was 1,800 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the rebel-held city of Luhansk on Friday.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Captured Russians: 'We Are Here As Cannon Meat'
Dengan url
http://badutjayus.blogspot.com/2014/08/captured-russians-we-are-here-as-cannon.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Captured Russians: 'We Are Here As Cannon Meat'
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Captured Russians: 'We Are Here As Cannon Meat'
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar