Arrested By Russian Troops, Ukrainian Soldiers Say Sad Things: The Unit Is Left Without Communication Radio, Food And Drink

Illustration of Russian armored vehicles escorting a bus carrying surrendered Ukrainian troops. (TASS/Vladimir Gerdo)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian troops who surrendered and were detained by Russian troops revealed shocking conditions, with conditions that lack food and water, after experiencing a siege.

Troops held captive in Gorskoye, in the Republic of Lugansk region, said before turning themselves in, they were left without communication, food and drinking water.

"They (Ukrainian military command) left us without communication. We couldn't contact the battalion or brigade. The radio was off. We didn't know where to take our positions and what our duties were," a Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW) said in a video released by the ministry. Defense of Russia, as quoted from TASS June 25.

"We were completely cut off, no food, no water, no communication," the soldier continued.

Other Ukrainian POWs said there was no other way out but to lay down their arms and surrender to Russia.

"We are under complete surveillance, without seeing the enemy. If we had not laid down our weapons, we would have died without a fight. The decision was made to surrender to keep the personnel alive," the prisoner said.

He added that Ukrainian soldiers were immediately given food and water after they surrendered.

Another Ukrainian POW said they had been thrown into combat without proper training. They were given the opportunity to fire 11 rounds from the assault rifle twice.

"We don't have any more training," one of them emphasized.

As previously reported, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said on Friday, Russian troops surrounded several Ukrainian military units, right-wing 'Nazi' troops (Azov Battalion) and a group of foreign mercenaries in the vicinity of the Gorskoye and Zolotoye regions of the Lugansk People's Republic.

The encircled Ukrainian combat group numbered about 2,000 troops manned at less than 40 percent, its supplies having been completely frozen. In the past 24 hours, 41 Ukrainian soldiers laid down their weapons and surrendered, the general said.