Two Russian soldiers surrender, convince three others in Kharkiv Oblast
Two Russian soldiers surrendered to Ukrainian forces on the Northern Slobozhanskyi axis and used a drone with a loudspeaker to convince three more to surrender, prompting their own command to open fire on the defectors, according to the 158th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
The brigade said the initial pair, with callsigns Gorets and Khirurg, were taken prisoner first. Using a drone equipped with a speaker, Ukrainian troops broadcast a message warning the hidden Russians.
"Russian soldiers, we know where you are hiding. We are giving you one last chance. In an hour, your hiding place will be completely destroyed. Surrender, and you will live and go to your families. All your groups that were moving with you yesterday have already been destroyed and are lying in the fields," said the audio recording broadcast to the Russian soldiers.
Later, Gorets and Khirurg personally addressed the remaining Russian soldiers hiding nearby: “Surrender and you will be safe. We’re with Gorets — we’re safe. Surrender if you want to live. They’ll tear you apart if you don’t.”
Eventually, five Russian soldiers emerged from their hiding places and surrendered to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
The brigade described the incident as a “unique case,” noting that Russian command opened fire on their own personnel attempting to surrender.