A Russian reconnaissance platoon has allegedly surrendered to Ukrainian troops, according to Ukraine’s Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Lieutenant General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The high-ranking military official announced this development via Facebook after several news outlets reported on the rumor. The reports come as Russia continues to ramp up its efforts in what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a “special military operation” into Ukraine, but as the evidence would point out, is actually a full-scale invasion.
“Ukraine’s ambassador to the US just told us that a Russian platoon from the 74th Motorized Brigade has surrendered to Ukraine’s forces,” NBC News’ Josh Lederman tweeted. “She says that the Russian troops apparently had been unaware they were being sent to kill Ukrainians. No confirmation yet from Russia’s military.”
Ukraine’s ambassador to the US just told us that a Russian platoon from the 74th Motorized Brigade has surrendered to Ukraine’s forces. She says that the Russian troops apparently had been unaware they were being sent to kill Ukrainians.
No confirmation yet from Russia’s military— Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) February 24, 2022
This was then confirmed by Zaluzhnyi via Facebook. “A whole platoon of Russian occupants surrendered to Ukrainian forces near Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, Ukraine army commander in chief reports,” freelance journalist Olga Tokariuk reported.
“‘No one thought we were going to kill. We thought we were going to gather information’, Russian officer reportedly said,” Tokariuk added.
A whole platoon of Russian occupants surrendered to Ukrainian forces near Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, Ukraine army commander in chief reports. 'No one thought we were going to kill. We thought we were going to gather information', Russian officer reportedly said pic.twitter.com/aOKRadVXXn
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) February 24, 2022
“Russian invaders, facing the total resistance of Ukrainian defenders, surrender themselves to captivity,” Zaluzhnyi said according to Facebook provided translation.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova also spoke of the development on Thursday.
“The combat spirit of Ukrainian military is high,” Markarova said in a speech, “We are protecting our home, and we will not stop.” A portion of her comments can be seen here:
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova confirms a Russian platoon surrendered to Ukrainian forces:
“They didn’t know that they were brought to Ukraine to kill Ukrainians. They thought they were doing something else.” pic.twitter.com/bhFeHGo5qT
— The Recount (@therecount) February 24, 2022
The latest development is welcome news for Ukrainians, who have reportedly suffered major costs since the Russian invasion began Thursday morning local time. As The Daily Wire reported, the Russian government has claimed to have destroyed 74 Ukrainian facilities, including 11 air bases, during the first night of its full-scale invasion of the Eastern European nation of Ukraine. The announcement comes as Ukraine is calling upon all international partners to assist in the war effort while arming all Ukrainians who want to fight with firearms. In addition, Ukraine is reporting that it has downed a half-dozen Russian aircraft.
Russia’s actions have received worldwide condemnation, including from former President George W. Bush who decried the assault as the world’s ‘gravest security crisis’ since World War II, The Daily Wire reported.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine constitutes the gravest security crisis on the European continent since World War II. I join the international community in condemning Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine,” Bush said. “The American government and people must stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they seek freedom and the right to choose their own future.”
Leading House Republicans also pledged to provide Ukraine with whatever “tools” the U.S. can to defeat Russia, The Daily Wire reported. The pledge, issued by House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX), House Armed Services Committee Lead Republican Mike Rogers (R-AL), and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Lead Republican Mike Turner (R-OH), partly read:
Today, we stand resolute with the Ukrainian people and resolve to provide them with the tools they need to withstand and repel this unprovoked attack. Every drop of Ukrainian and Russian blood spilled in this conflict is on Putin’s hands, and his alone.