Ukrainian forces capture hundreds of Russian soldiers in Kursk offensive

Since the beginning of the offensive in the Kursk region, Ukrainian forces have captured more than 240 Russian soldiers, reports "The Washington Post." The American newspaper analysed photos and videos taken since 6 August. However, it notes that the actual number of captured Russians may be significantly higher.

"The Washington Post" analysed 130 photos and videos taken since the start of the invasion on 6 August. Most of them were shot by Ukrainian soldiers and shared on social media. They indicate that since the beginning of the operation in the Kursk region, Ukrainian forces have captured at least 247 Russian prisoners.

The analysis also included photos taken by the editorial photographer in the prison where the captured Russian soldiers are being held in Ukraine. "The Washington Post" emphasises that it did not include video materials that could not be independently verified. "[This means] that the actual number of Russian prisoners taken during the offensive is much higher," the publication reads.

In seven verified videos, the prisoners identify themselves as conscripts. "I haven't seen a film in a long time where Russian soldiers surrender en masse in such a way," said Dara Massicot, senior research fellow at the Russia and Eurasia Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "My instinct after watching these films told me that these soldiers are not experienced fighters who have fought in Ukraine," he added.

The editorial team cites two examples of Russian soldiers being taken captive. A video shot in the border village of Sverdlikovo in the Kursk region shows at least 29 captured Russian soldiers.

In other videos, they can be seen sitting on the same road. One of the Ukrainian soldiers films the captured soldiers as they give their names and military units to the camera.

Near the border crossing in Sudzha, several videos show the capture of at least 40 Russian soldiers. The 80th Air Assault Brigade, supported by artillery and heavy armoured vehicles, destroyed the buildings of the "Sudzha" checkpoint. Drone footage shows Russian troops raising white flags in a gesture of surrender.

Neither the Ukrainian nor the Russian governments have disclosed how many Russian prisoners were captured during the Kursk offensive. The head of the prison in northeastern Ukraine, where soldiers captured during the offensive are being held, told a correspondent that 320 Russians had passed through his facility in the previous 10 days on their way to other prisoner-of-war camps in Ukraine. "Around 80 per cent of the Russian soldiers being held in the Ukrainian prison visited by The Post were conscripts," the prison head said.