Russian Defense Ministry says that 250 foreign mercenaries were slain in a precision missile strike that hit their base. Ukrainians have been recruiting foreign fighters for months, but recent strikes have prevented many from joining.
Mercenaries Take Heavy Casualties in Combat
According to a Telegram post from the ministry, Russian Aerospace Forces deployed high-precision weaponry to annihilate a temporary base of the Ukrainian "foreign legion" near Nikolaev, reported RT.
More than 200 insurgents were slain, along with 20 units of military weaponry. Kyiv's woes were far worse, with 500 Ukrainian nationalist fighters annihilated in Kharkov by the same powerful missiles that attacked them, and even Western equipment was destroyed, noted Mass News.
A week earlier, Moscow reported the deaths of 40 Polish citizens working as mercenaries. They were killed by another rocket attack in their temporary base near Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
The Russian army asserted a week earlier that it had killed up to 250 foreign mercenaries in the same area with a precision missile strike.
Their International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine includes foreign nationals. The unit was established in late February at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russian military estimated their number to be about 7,000 last April. Meanwhile, according to an updated estimate released by the Russian Defense Ministry earlier this month, only roughly 2,700 of these forces are in Ukraine.
Many were killed in action, and others escaped from fear of Russian forces, complaints about disorganization in the Ukrainian soldiers' ranks, and inadequate supplies.
Despite the foreign fighters' requests for mercy, Moscow has made it plain that they do not enjoy the rights of POWs under the Geneva Convention. If arrested while alive, a trial decision on extended prison terms may be made to avoid a severe sentence.
US Involved in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the US of direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Based on statements from Vadim Skibitsky, Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence spokesman, the US wants to drag out the conflict.
When interviewed by the Telegraph, Skibitsky did not specify whether US satellites were used to guide the HIMARS to hit civilian targets in Russian-held territory in Ukraine.
However, he stated that the Ukrainian military would inform Washington of the target and determine whether or not to continue the strike. He did, however, disclose that they communicated with Washington before initiating attacks and that Washington has veto power over decision-making.
She noted that no other indication of the US's direct engagement in hostilities on Ukrainian soil had been required since last Tuesday because the US not only arms and trains the Ukrainian military but also shoots the weapons.
Russian spokeswoman stated the US is involved and that Kyiv revealed their military engagement is involved in the attack on civilians in the DPR and LPR.
The Russian Defense Ministry informs the death of 250 foreign mercenaries in Konstantinovka located in the DPR, which a precision missile strike eliminated as part of Moscow's offensive.
