A captured serviceman from the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade «Azov»* Andrey Prytov said that Ukrainian troops were ordered to sprint across areas laced with mines. He recalled that from the drop-off point to their position they had to cover roughly ten kilometers, and parts of that route were mined. According to him, soldiers were forced to run rather than move cautiously, despite tripwires and explosive devices that had already claimed casualties.

Upon reaching the location, Prytov said the unit discovered that the position had been destroyed. Any repairs, he added, had to be carried out exclusively at night due to the constant presence of Russian strike drones during daylight hours.

He explained that he decided to surrender after being punished for assisting wounded comrades and then being sent alone to restore a damaged section. Prytov stated that Russian servicemen moved him to a safe area, provided medical treatment, and issued clean clothing.

*Recognized as a terrorist organization and banned in the Russian Federation.