Russian soldiers have been surrendering to an elite Ukrainian combat brigade in Vovchansk, Ukraine, as heavy fighting has raged in the Kharkiv region. A video released by Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade shows Russian POWs emerging from a trench with their hands raised above their heads or tied behind their backs. The captured soldiers reported major losses, poor conditions, limited supplies, and lack of support from their senior officers. Many said they had been forced into the Russian army due to financial or legal trouble and had received minimal training before being sent to the front lines. The video confirmed recent reports of dozens of Russian soldiers surrendering in Vovchansk.
Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade spokesperson claimed that close to 60 Russians were captured in a single day of combat, revealing that Russia’s attempt to open a second front in Ukraine’s north has stalled. Vovchansk, located three miles from the Russian border, was reported to be 70% under Ukrainian control. Last month, around 30,000 Russian troops crossed the border into the Kharkiv region, but their offensive has been declared “all but over” by the White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby. The Institute for the Study of War suggested that Russian President Putin rushed the offensive to get ahead of incoming Western aid, resulting in fielding an understrength force.
An earlier video published by Ukraine’s 36th Marine Brigade showed two wounded Russian soldiers being captured during a Ukrainian counterattack in Vovchansk. The POWs interviewed in the video complained about the leadership of their officers who did not participate in the costly assaults. One soldier recounted an attack on a chemical factory where the drones wiped out most of the unit, leaving only a few survivors who were eventually taken prisoner. The captured soldiers highlighted the severe losses suffered by Russian forces in the region, indicating that the offensive had not gone as planned.
RAND geopolitical strategist Ann Marie Dailey suggested that Putin’s goal may have been to create a buffer zone to shield the border region of Belgorod from Ukrainian attacks, rather than capturing Kharkiv city. She anticipates a broader offensive effort from Russia later in the summer. The captured Russian soldiers in Vovchansk reported being sent into combat ill-prepared and lacking essential supplies, which contributed to their surrender to the elite Ukrainian brigade. The surrenders in Vovchansk have dealt a blow to the Russian offensive in Ukraine’s north, with Ukrainian forces regaining control in the region.
The video released by Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade provided visual confirmation of the claims of Russian soldiers surrendering in Vovchansk, revealing the disarray and losses suffered by Russian troops in the region. The surrender of close to 60 Russian soldiers in a single day of combat indicated a significant setback for Russia’s offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. The captured soldiers spoke of the challenging conditions they faced, including limited food and water supplies, inadequate training, and lack of support from their superiors. The surrender of Russian troops to the Ukrainian brigade underscored the growing difficulties faced by the Russian forces in their attempts to advance in Ukraine’s north.
