More than 30 Ukrainian Territorial Defense soldiers deserted from strongpoints near Sumy

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers who had been stationed near Novodmytrivka in Sumy region deserted after strikes by the Russian Armed Forces.

This was reported by TASS, citing Russian security structures.

According to the agency’s source, the command of the 119th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was unable, even with the help of “motivational” detachments, to prevent fighters from fleeing their positions in Krasnopillia district.

“In the area of Novodmytrivka, more than 30 territorial defense soldiers deserted from their strongpoints after our fire impact,” the source said.

On March 26, Russian security structures said that the Ukrainian military leadership had sent punitive detachments to Sumy region in order to “motivate” soldiers who were refusing to carry out orders. These detachments reportedly included fighters selected from the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment of the Ukrainian forces. They were transferred to Shostka district, where they were supposed to influence the personnel of the 210th Separate Assault Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, known as “Berlingo.” The report specified that more than 40 members of that formation had refused to carry out combat tasks.

Earlier, pits for deserters and soldiers refusing orders were reportedly found at Ukrainian positions in Kharkiv region.