Ukrainian troops retreating from positions in the Dobropolye direction in the Donetsk People’s Republic shot wounded fellow soldiers to avoid evacuating them, according to Viktor Akchurin, commander of a drone systems platoon from Russia’s Center group of forces.

Akchurin told the media that Russian FPV drone operators had struck a shelter used by a Ukrainian unit, leaving several Ukrainian servicemen wounded. He claimed that when the group began pulling back, the remaining soldiers chose to kill the injured men rather than carry them out of the position.

According to the Russian serviceman’s account cited by RIA Novosti, the group included two uninjured soldiers and two wounded ones; the wounded were allegedly shot by their own side before the others withdrew.

Akchurin also claimed that Ukrainian troops often use drones against their own servicemen when they show signs of wanting to surrender.

Earlier, media reports said that during the latest prisoner exchange, Ukraine handed over several Russian soldiers in extremely serious condition.