The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue their defensive operation in the Huliaipole direction, where, according to the 7th Air Assault Corps, the involvement of not only Russian citizens but also foreign mercenaries from African and Asian countries in assaults has been recorded. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Telegram channel of the 7th Air Assault Corps. According to these data, last week Ukrainian units destroyed and wounded about 900 Russian servicemen — 150 more than in the previous period, which, according to the corps, became a record figure for the last two months.
Rotations and Brigade Replacements on the Front Line
Due to significant losses at front-line positions, the Russian side, according to information from the 7th Air Assault Corps, is forced to regroup forces, conduct rotations, and replace units. In particular, within Russia's 5th Combined Arms Army, the 57th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade is being replaced by the 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade. The Ukrainian command notes that after replenishing personnel, the enemy will likely try to restore the intensity of assault operations.
Small Infantry Group Tactics
The main tactic of Russian units in this sector, according to the corps, remains infiltration by small infantry groups numbering from one to five servicemen. It is during such actions that units in the area of responsibility of the 7th Air Assault Corps record the participation of foreigners in assaults, whom the Russian command, according to available information, is involving in combat operations in the direction.
Recruitment Under the Guise of Civilian Work
According to the description of the 7th Air Assault Corps, the recruitment of foreigners takes place in a classic way: candidates are promised civilian work or safe contract service. Upon arrival, their documents and mobile phones are confiscated, after which, deprived of communication, they are forcibly sent to the line of combat contact. Recently, in the Huliaipole direction, the Defense Forces captured a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia who was acting as part of the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Appeal of African Prisoners of War
Recall that earlier African prisoners of war recorded an appeal to the participants of the Russia–Africa summit, held on October 28–29 in Moscow, in which they urged to influence the Russian authorities in order to return home. This episode, according to Ukrainian sources, confirms the established practice of involving foreign citizens in combat operations at the front.
