Ukrainian National Guard fighters captured a group of Russian infantry who were attempting to fortify a position in the Kharkiv region, National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko reported.
“In the Kupyansk sector, a group of enemy infantry attempting to secure a position within the area of responsibility of the 2nd Rapid Response Battalion of the 15th NGU Brigade ‘Kara-Dag’ was taken prisoner,” Pivnenko wrote on his Telegram channel on Sunday, April 21, sharing a video of the capture.
The two captured Russian infantrymen, born in 1962 and 1968, said they joined the army and were sent to the front in December, but didn’t name their unit.
According to Pivnenko, Ukrainian reconnaissance drone were used to find the Russian infantrymen.
“The occupiers decided not to tempt fate and made the right choice — to surrender and stay alive,” Pivnenko said.
Ukraine has voiced support for the “all for all” prisoner exchange advocated for by the late Pope Francis.
“I fully support this. Let’s do it. Only one small matter remains — to convince Russia,” the head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), Kyrylo Budanov told German TV channel, ARD.
Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange on Saturday, April 19, the day before Easter.
“Our people are home — one of the best pieces of news possible. Another 277 warriors have returned from Russian captivity,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on Telegram the same day.