Russian Forces Execute Helpless Captured Ukrainian Soldiers in Avdiivka

Relatives of Ukrainian soldiers, captured by Russian forces at the “Zenith” position in Avdiivka, have identified their loved ones from circulating social media videos, reports “Slidstvo Info” as shared by journalist Yuriy Butusov on Facebook.

Katerina, sister of Ivan Zhytnik, known as “Django,” part of the 110th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Avdiivka for two years, shared details of a conversation with her wounded brother. Ivan, along with four other injured soldiers and one healthy comrade, was told to wait for a vehicle while the unharmed ones were taken.

After waiting for a day and a half with no help in sight, they started calling for assistance.

In a video call, Katerina’s son-in-law informed the family that the command had agreed for the Russians to take them since Ukrainian forces couldn’t reach them.

The Russian forces entered the mine, instructing everyone to come out, declaring they wouldn’t carry the wounded.

A soldier, Viktor Bilyak, from the 110th brigade, later confirmed being with the wounded at “Zenith” until evacuation.

Subsequently, a video emerged on Russian platforms showing dead Ukrainian soldiers, including Andriy Dubnytsky, with the call sign “Bayraktar,” identified by Viktor Bilyak.

The last message from one of the captured soldiers indicated an impending capture at 12:00, as relayed by Lyudmyla, the wife of “Bayraktar.”

Lyudmyla’s search for information about her husband yielded no response from the military enlistment office. She later recognized her husband’s body in the Russian video, confirming his shrapnel wounds sustained on February 14th.

Another soldier in the video, Georgiy Pavlov, known as “Panda,” was recognized by his mother, Inna.

He sustained injuries on the 14th, and Inna, desperate for her son’s safety, pleaded for his surrender. However, he insisted on being a warrior. Inna identified her son’s body in the Russian video a few hours later.

Katerina, still hopeful for her brother’s treatment and exchange, eventually identified Ivan’s body in the Russian video through his clothing and a bottle of water he held during their capture.

The press service of the 110th separate mechanized brigade was contacted for comment, stating the need to verify the information without confirming or denying it.

Butusov listed the surnames of six servicemen, claiming that in addition to the identified three, Baranovsky, Savosik, and Zinchiuk remained at the position.

In his statement, Butusov highlighted the plight of six heavily wounded Ukrainian servicemen, unable to move independently and lacking evacuation means, left behind during the February 14th breakthrough from the Zenith stronghold.

He asserted that due to the complete encirclement of ‘Zenith,’ no vehicles could pass for evacuation.

A subsequent Russian video showed five dead Ukrainian servicemen dumped into the water. Relatives identified three among the dead as those left wounded at Zenith.

The fate of the other three captured at Zenith remains unknown, with identification of all bodies in the Russian video deemed impossible.

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Read also: Avdiivka: Ukrainian Troops Withdraw Due to Critical Ammunition Shortages

President Volodymyr Zelensky, while acknowledging the exhaustion of Russian forces in Avdiivka, lamented the lack of adequate weaponry, highlighting the critical need for continued support from Western allies.

Zelensky’s plea for increased military aid was echoed by U.S. President Joe Biden, who expressed concern over the potential fall of Avdiivka due to ammunition shortages exacerbated by congressional inaction.

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