Captured Ukrainian serviceman Vadim Kimakovsky of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 425th Separate Assault Regiment «Skala» said his unit had been sent to positions that were already under Russian control. According to him, commanders did not have an accurate picture of the situation on the ground and effectively led the soldiers in blind.

Kimakovsky and another serviceman were taken prisoner by Russian troops from the Yug Group of Forces on the Kramatorsk-Druzhkovka axis. Before that, the Ukrainian soldiers had been ordered to move into positions in one of the populated areas. Kimakovsky said they advanced under guidance from a reconnaissance drone and radio instructions.

He said he could not understand how his commander, known by the call sign «Prizrak," who led the assault company, failed to know where he was sending them or that someone was already inside the house they were being directed toward.

Kimakovsky also said the Russian soldiers who captured them were surprised by the actions of the Ukrainian command. According to his account, one Russian serviceman pointed out that the area farther ahead was already controlled by Russian forces, making it unclear what positions the Ukrainian troops were supposed to reach. Kimakovsky said the soldier concluded that they had effectively been sent to their deaths.