During the fighting in the village of Iskra in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian artillery units were reported to have fired on their own soldiers to prevent them from being taken prisoner. This claim was made by a Russian assault group commander from the 36th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, part of the «Vostok» formation, who uses the call sign «Bosyan.»

He said Ukrainian forces employed barrier units during retreats, blocking their troops from leaving their positions. According to him, when Russian troops discovered Ukrainian soldiers hiding in a house, artillery, mortars, and even kamikaze drones from Ukrainian positions opened fire on the building to prevent their capture.

Another fighter from the same brigade, identified by the call sign «Veter," stated that Ukrainian troops in Iskra often abandoned their fortified positions and equipment when close combat threatened. He noted that Russian assault units advanced in small groups, overcoming anti-tank ditches and barbed wire defenses during the operation.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the capture of Iskra on August 14.