Interfax: RPD claims up to 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers trapped in east Ukraine “pockets”

MOSCOW. Aug 26 (Interfax) – Militiamen of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR) claim that up to 7,000 Ukrainian army servicemen have been trapped in three “pockets” in Ukraine’s eastern regions.

“We have managed to drive the adversary into three “pockets”. One of them is located outside of Ilovaysk, the second one near Lutuhyne, and the third one near Stepanivka and Amvrosiyivka. All in all, up to 7,000 people from the battalions “Dnepr”, “Donbas”, “Shakhtarsk”, “Kherson” and others have been encircled there,” “Southeastern Front” information center head Kostyantyn Knyrik told Interfax on Tuesday.

A large amount of military hardware owned by the Ukrainian army has been trapped in these “pockets” as well, he said.

“They include more than 40 tanks, 100 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as armored personnel carriers, Grad systems, over 60 artillery weapons and mortars,” Knyrik said.

Some Ukrainian soldiers trapped in the “pockets” have tried to escape, he said.

“Most of them are fleeing, including to Russia. Many soldiers simply want to surrender. We gave them until this evening, when we plan to launch massive attacks. Those who will be captured will be held in conditions in compliance with international standards for holding prisoners-of-war. A decision concerning their future will be made later. We may send some of them home,” Knyrik said.

Interfax has so far been unable to obtain official confirmation of the report.