Ukrainian intelligence efforts to rescue prisoners in the hands of Russia

Smoke rises from an artillery shelling on a factory in the city of Soledar, Donbas region, eastern Ukraine, June 3 – Photo: AFP

“Through them (intelligence agencies) we are learning about the conditions of detention, nutrition and possible release of servicemen,” Minister Moosystemrskiy told Ukrainian television.

In May, Russia said nearly 2,000 Ukrainian servicemen had surrendered at the Azovstal steel plant, the last line of defense in Mariupol, after weeks of fighting in bunkers and tunnels beneath the plant.

According to Reuters news agency, Kiev wants prisoner exchange with Russia to return the warriors. Meanwhile, some senior Russian lawmakers have demanded that some soldiers be put on trial. The Kremlin said those who surrender will be treated according to international standards.

After 100 days of hostilities, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assessed that the special military operation in Ukraine had achieved certain results, and that Russia will continue the operation in Ukraine until all its objectives are achieved. pepper.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also sent a message to the people, affirming that the Ukrainians have defended the country for the past 100 days against Russian forces and that “victory will be ours”.

According to CNN, the Ukrainian military said that Russian units are being reinforced to approach Sloviansk. In nearby Severodonetsk, the Ukrainian military said battles continued and that Russian forces had “partially succeeded” in attacking residential areas to the east of the city.

On June 4, Ukraine said it had recaptured part of the city of Severodonetsk and could hold it for up to two weeks. On the same day, the British Ministry of Defense said that Russian air activity remained at a high level in the Donbass region.

Earlier, on June 3, Sergiy Gaidai, governor of Luhansk province, told state television that the Ukrainian army had recaptured 20% of the territory they had lost in Severodonetsk.