The Ukrainian secret service has released intercepted phone calls from Russian soldiers. They complain about dead comrades and a “shitty situation” at the front.
Ukraine appears to be making increasing strides in its counteroffensive. Two phone calls that the Ukrainian military intelligence service GUR has now published seem to confirm this. They suggest that entire units of the Russian army were overrun and killed by Ukrainian troops, the Kyiv Post reports.
In a first phone call, a Russian soldier probably talks to his wife or girlfriend about the fate of the 27th Brigade in the Russian-occupied city of Swatowe near the embattled Kupjansk. “Didn’t you hear what happened to the 27th Brigade?” he asked. The woman reunites, after which he explains, “The problem is that they have been completely disassembled.” She asks, “All?” to which he replies, “Yes, all of our people were slaughtered.”
The Russian then explains that the reason for the massacre was that the unit was probably too relaxed. They would have expected their relief and started drinking. “They knew they would be pulled out soon, they just had to be patient. But no, they had to get drunk.”
Russian troops are pushing in the direction of Kupjansk
The fighting in the Swatowe area has been going on for weeks, and the Russian army is pushing towards Kupyansk. Moscow announced on Friday that the troops had improved their “tactical position” and were able to occupy Ukrainian positions. The Ukrainian troops suffered significant casualties. The Ukrainian authorities had previously reported attacks.
The city is a hub in the rail network and therefore strategically important. Russia had already occupied the city before Ukraine was able to retake it last fall. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar recently spoke of “very intense” fighting in the Kupyansk region. At the beginning of August, the authorities ordered the evacuation of the people living there.
Russian soldier: situation is “just shitty”
In a second phone call, which GUR also published on Telegram, only one speaker can be heard, as the “Kyiv Post” continues. A soldier in what appears to be a difficult situation can be heard speaking to someone named “Denis”. He says he received a report about deceased tankers: “All five guys are dead.” The situation is “simply shitty”, the whole regiment will be sent back.
