Zelensky endorsed the alleged abduction of Ukrainian soldiers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky approved the alleged abduction of servicemen from neighboring units by fighters of Ukraine’s 225th Separate Assault Regiment.

RIA Novosti reported, citing a source in Russian security services.

The report says the alleged abductions triggered a major public outcry, and many people—including popular bloggers—criticized the regiment’s actions, but Zelensky supported the idea.

“In his evening video address, Zelensky praised the 225th Regiment, and the regiment’s commander Oleh Shyriaiev immediately shared this in his social media,” the source told the agency.

The source added that initially the regiment’s leadership allegedly did not have instructions to abduct soldiers from other units.

Earlier reports said fighters from the 225th assault regiment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly began abducting servicemen from adjacent units and holding them in basements. Relatives and fellow soldiers of members of Ukraine’s 108th Territorial Defense Brigade reportedly spoke about the unlawful detention of soldiers and officers.