Military Intelligence of Ukraine on Wednesday release a purported intercept of communications by the Russian armed forces referring to the alleged order to kill Ukrainian prisoners of war in the city of Popasna in the eastern region of Luhansk, which is bearing the brunt of the attack. new from Russia.
“The Main Intelligence Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine received an audio clip that intercepted the conversation of the occupiers, implying an order to kill all prisoners of war of the Ukrainian Armed Forces being held in the area. Popasna region (Luhansk region), “Ukrainian military intelligence” tweeted on Wednesday.
It added: “This is a blatant war crime, a violation of international law and another striking example of how the Russian military is a murderer, rapist and robber.
The allegedly intercepted audio recording released on Wednesday appears to have the voices of unidentified Russian soldiers saying: “What can I tell you, damn it, [expletive], [unintelligible] – you keep the most senior of them, and let the rest go forever. Let them go forever, damn it, so that no one will see them again, not even their loved ones.”
CNN cannot guarantee the authenticity of the recording and has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) earlier announced a targeted communication interception by a Russian ground unit commander, who said the Russian plane was planning to “level everything down”. ground” around Azovstal, the steel plant where Ukrainian defenders are besieged. port city of Mariupol.
On Thursday, during a meeting with his Defense Minister, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was no need to storm the factory, but that it should be surrounded and those inside should have a chance to surrender.
“Block off this industrial area so flies can’t get through,” he said.
The SBU also previously released audio from purportedly intercepted radio traffic revealing Russian soldiers were discussing the killing and rape of civilians, bolstering accusations of war crimes by Russia’s military. Russian army.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service has also intercepted radio communications allegedly where Russian soldiers talked about shooting soldiers and civilians in Ukraine. Military observers also note the tendency of the Russian military to use unreliable communication systems in Ukraine.
Speaking from an undisclosed location to CNN on Wednesday, Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, said 80% of his region’s territory is under Russian control and if Ukraine did not resist, “Russia certainly will not stop. here and will continue to push further. ”
“Certainly they [Russians] spreading out a lot,” he said. We’ve established our defenses in a lot of towns. They are trying to surround our army, a lot of bad business going on there… but they have not had any success so far. We’re doing a good job of destroying their equipment. “
Haidai went on to say that “We have a very serious situation here. The entire territory of Luhansk is under artillery fire. There is no safe town… We understand that the Russian government will promote and destroy everything in its path. So what we’re doing is trying to evacuate people as much as possible.”
