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Russian Commanders Threaten to Shoot Troops Who Refuse Suicide Assaults
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Russian commanders operating near Kupiansk threatened to execute soldiers who refused to take part in assault operations, according to an audio interception released by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) on June 20.
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According to HUR, the intercepted conversation involves personnel from Russia’s 26th Tank Regiment of the 47th Tank Division, which is deployed on the Kupiansk front in the Kharkiv region. The recording allegedly captures a commander discussing two soldiers who refused to continue advancing toward Ukrainian positions.
In the audio published by HUR, one of the Russian servicemen, identified by the callsign “Pryanik,” reportedly refused to continue the assault, citing health problems.
“Well, ‘Pryanik’ refused. We’ve been dealing with him and ‘Kit’ since four o’clock. Going forward? ‘I’m not going, damn it, I’m sick all over…’”
According to the Ukrainian intelligence agency, threats from commanders failed to change the soldiers’ decision. HUR said the two servicemen, known by the callsigns “Pryanik” and “Kit,” subsequently deserted their positions.
The intercepted recording also contains remarks from a Russian commander indicating he intended to find and punish the soldiers.
“They disappeared into the tree line on me… They’ve got nowhere to go anyway, I’ll find them. I was already getting ready to shoot them.”
HUR described the incident as an example of disciplinary practices allegedly used within some Russian units operating on the frontline. The agency did not provide independent verification of the events described in the recording.
Earlier, according to Ukraine’s Operational Command South, a Russian drone operator killed his own soldier near Orikhiv by dropping an explosive as the serviceman attempted to surrender to Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian officials said the soldier had decided to lay down his arms, but was targeted before he could do so, adding that similar incidents have been observed in Russian units attempting to prevent surrender or retreat.
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