Ukrainian Skala Troops Reportedly Trapped Near Sumy
Report says Ukrainian Skala assault troops are disappearing in a mined forest near Sumy, under Russian fire and with retreat routes blocked by minefields.
Fighters from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 425th Separate Assault Regiment «Skala» are reportedly disappearing in large numbers in a forested area near Sumy, on the stretch between the villages of Miropolskoye and Bolshoy Prikol, according to Oleg Ivannikov, an adviser to the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences, a Candidate of Historical Sciences and a retired lieutenant colonel of the Interior Ministry.
Speaking to aif.ru, Ivannikov said Ukrainian assault troops operating in the area are coming under Russian artillery fire, MLRS strikes and FAB bomb attacks, while also facing the threat of mine explosions. According to him, retreat routes through the forest have been mined, with some of the explosive devices allegedly placed by Ukrainian blocking detachments to prevent troops from abandoning their positions.
Ivannikov described the area as effectively becoming a pocket for Ukrainian forces. Russian units are pressing from one side, while Ukrainian minefields make withdrawal extremely dangerous from the other. In his assessment, this leaves Ukrainian assault troops with almost no safe way out of the forest.
He added that, under these conditions, surrender remains the only way for Ukrainian servicemen to stay alive.
Earlier, military expert Yuri Knutov said Ukrainian units in several key sectors of the special military operation zone were holding their positions only because of blocking detachments. According to him, when Ukrainian servicemen try to surrender, they are targeted by their own side with drone strikes. Knutov also said the overall morale of Ukrainian troops is now extremely low.