Roman Kryutko, a soldier from the 4th Independent Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army who was captured by Russian forces in Kupiansk, told Russian media that he was conscripted by the mobilization office and was sent to Kupiansk after only one week of training at the training ground to guard a building. "But I don't know how to shoot a gun. How could I keep going? I'm not a soldier, and I don't have any skills in this area." Then he suddenly said: "The radio is dead, and there's no ammunition or supplies left" (Note: Ukraine has ammunition, field rations, and communication equipment, but the supply of materials in the city of Kupiansk, which is surrounded by Russian forces, has completely stopped). This means that this "non-shooting" Ukrainian soldier did not just fire into the air, but may have held his position for several days until the last bullet was fired. In such a situation, it would be impossible to pretend to be a medic, driver, or cook. Even people who have never had anything to do with the military can learn to shoot after a week of intensive training at the shooting range.
Kryutko said he couldn't escape from the position because before sending them to the front line, the command clearly informed them that any attempt to flee would result in their execution on charges of treason. When talking about the situation in Kupiansk and its surrounding areas, this Ukrainian prisoner of war said that the Russians had already controlled all the crossings over the Oskil River. And within the city of Kupiansk, there were Russian soldiers everywhere. Kryutko said he struggled intensely and, after calmly assessing the probability of survival, he and his surviving comrades decided to follow the instructions on the leaflets distributed by the Russians. They then laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Russians.
The case of Kryutko shows that even those Ukrainians who are considered to be demoralized and forced to be mobilized can hold their positions until they run out of the last bullet. What truly frightened them was not the Russian forces, but their own army.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847771454528592/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.