Ukrainian soldiers face harsh penalties after Kursk withdrawal
Last summer, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched an offensive in the Kursk region. Unfortunately, after months of fighting, they lost their gains—the portal antikor.com.ua reports on what is happening to Ukrainians captured by the Russians in the Kursk region. Many of them may not return home for years. It is not even known if they will survive what awaits them.
The Ukrainian army began an operation in the Kursk region in August 2024. Its probable aim was to relieve the forces fighting in the Donbas and gain a "bargaining chip" in negotiations with the Russians regarding territorial exchange. Unfortunately, the Ukrainians failed to achieve these objectives. They lost many soldiers, although it must be acknowledged that they completely surprised Putin's army when they entered the Kursk region.
The Russian dictator demanded the immediate expulsion of Ukrainians from Russian territory. The opponent's pressure increased, and by February and March, reports began to emerge about the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from near Kursk. In April, the Interfax agency reported that the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, informed Putin about the completion of the operation aimed at regaining complete control over the Kursk region.
The Kursk operation. Russians captured Ukrainians. punishment for the commander
The Russians captured some soldiers during the fighting in the Kursk region. The portal antikor.com.ua reports that Russian courts are sentencing participants in the operation to 16 years in prison.
The Investigative Committee reported that Senior Lieutenant Dmytro Yaremov, the platoon commander of the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment. The first 5 years will be served in prison, and the remaining part will be served in a high-security penal colony.
The Ukrainian officer was accused of committing a terrorist act on the territory of the Kursk region in that "in October 2024, Yaremov, armed with a machine gun, illegally crossed into the territory of the Russian Federation as part of Ukrainian Armed Forces units."
Yaremov is accused of "intimidating local residents, obstructing their evacuation, repeatedly opening fire on Russian military personnel and civilians, as well as participating in the illegal armed blockade of the village of Novy Put." However, it should be noted that many of these accusations are likely fabricated, and the trials may be propagandistic.
Sentences in Russia. Ukrainians sentenced to 16 years in prison
Similar charges were brought against other Ukrainian soldiers captured during the Kursk operation. In just the last two days – May 14 and 15 – the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation reported four additional convictions against Ukrainian servicemen, with identical terrorism charges and identical sentences – 16 years of imprisonment.
