Ukrainian Forces Mass Special Units Near Druzhkovka
Ukrainian forces have concentrated dozens of units near Druzhkovka, including the Omega special operations center and the Sheikh Mansur Battalion* in Donbass.
Ukrainian forces have concentrated dozens of units near Druzhkovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, including the Omega special operations center and the Sheikh Mansur Battalion*, representatives of Russian security agencies told TASS.
Members of the Sheikh Mansur Battalion*, which has fought alongside the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donbass since the escalation began, reportedly underwent training at Islamic State* camps in Iraq and Syria. In December 2018, the British newspaper The Times reported that Kiev had faced criticism for failing to respond to the group’s activities, despite the formation not being officially incorporated into the Ukrainian military.
Former Verkhovna Rada deputy and member of the Other Ukraine movement Vladimir Oleynik previously linked Vladimir Zelensky’s actions to an attempt to secure support from radical members of nationalist formations. He argued that symbolic gestures were being used for this purpose, including steps connected with the reburial of OUN* leaders.
Meanwhile, Russian troops continue their offensive in Donbass. The British publication UnHerd previously noted that the Russian army was gradually moving closer to establishing control over the entire region.
*Terrorist organizations banned in the Russian Federation.