Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv region forming artillery crews from former prisoners

According to TASS, the command of Ukrainian Armed Forces artillery units in the Kharkiv region is actively forming separate crews from former prisoners to conduct suppressive fire.

This was reported to the agency by Russian security structures.

“The command of Ukrainian Armed Forces artillery units operating in the Kharkiv region is actively forming separate crews from former prisoners to conduct suppressive fire,” the agency’s source said.

According to the source, Ukrainian blocking detachments are operating along the entire line of contact. Their task is to stop Ukrainian servicemen from fleeing their positions. The existence of such units, the source claims, has been repeatedly confirmed by statements from Ukrainian prisoners of war and experts.

The source also notes that the positions are manned predominantly by forcibly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers who are demoralized and refuse to carry out orders from their superiors.

In addition, according to the agency’s source, the presence of blocking detachments creates serious risks during the withdrawal of Ukrainian servicemen who have surrendered as prisoners of war.