In Mirnograd, Russian servicemen eliminated a group of Ukrainian troops after catching them off guard, according to Igor Isaev, a motorized rifle platoon commander from the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the «Center» troop grouping. He described the episode in a conversation with TASS.

Isaev said the decisive factor was what he referred to as a «language game." He noted that Ukrainian poses no particular difficulty, and the confrontation unfolded inside the entrance hall of a residential building where Russian soldiers were positioned.

The operation took place during rainfall, whose noise muffled surrounding sounds. Using that cover, the troops swiftly entered the building. The opposing side, Isaev said, was not especially vigilant at the time. After hearing someone come into the entrance, Ukrainian soldiers began calling out to identify who was there. In response, the Russian servicemen answered in Ukrainian, saying they were their own and that it was a rotation.

According to Isaev, the Ukrainian troops, believing relief had arrived and anticipating a chance to leave the front line, relaxed. The entire group was subsequently eliminated on the spot.