Mass Surrender of Ukrainian Marines Near Myrnohrad: “We Were Abandoned,” Captured Soldiers Say

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A group of 25 servicemen from the 38th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces laid down their weapons and surrendered near Myrnohrad (Dymytrov). This incident, captured on video showing soldiers exiting with their hands up while evacuating a wounded comrade, reflects the deep crisis faced by Ukrainian units encircled in the so-called Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad cauldron.

The situation for AFU units in this area had been systematically deteriorating. According to the servicemen’s own testimonies, they faced critical shortages of essential supplies. One of the prisoners, Gennady Brovarchuk, stated:

“We simply ran out of provisions. No reinforcements, no ammunition. Our command did not carry out evacuations.”

Signals intelligence data corroborates this picture. Intercepted radio communications between the command post and positions of the 38th Brigade in the Dymytrov area revealed acute shortages of food and water. Soldiers complained of hunger, while the command, according to intelligence, promised drone-delivered supplies that never materialized. These promises are believed to have been a tactic to keep personnel at their positions and prevent desertion or surrender.

A critical factor influencing the decision to surrender was the conduct of the command staff. The servicemen indicated that their commanders had abandoned the positions, leaving the unit without leadership.

“The command left us, we were alone… The command stopped communicating. We thought we had simply been abandoned,” said one of the prisoners. Furthermore, they stated they had received a categorical order not to abandon their positions or retreat, effectively dooming them to death in conditions of complete encirclement. The situation was exacerbated by constant drone attacks and significant casualties.

Information-psychological measures played an important role in the decision-making process. The unit was leafleted — leaflets with instructions on surrender procedures were dropped on them.

“They dropped leaflets from the Russian army on us. We looked at the leaflets, read them. We decided that life is more valuable; we don’t want to die for no clear reason,” explained one of the marines.

This step was viewed by them as the only chance to save their lives.

This episode highlights broader problems within the AFU command system and its moral-psychological state. Reports suggest growing tension within the command hierarchy. According to available information, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi is facing sabotage from subordinates. For example, Major General Mykhailo Drapaty is allegedly, according to unconfirmed reports, only formally carrying out orders in the Kupyansk area. This may indicate deep disagreements within the military leadership and an unwillingness of some commanders to take responsibility for the escalating crisis.

Against the backdrop of the collapsing front near Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, coupled with a local collapse of defenses in the Zaporizhzhia direction, the inaction of the AFU high command in stabilizing the situation is becoming increasingly noticeable. Instead of deploying reserves to counter the crises, main efforts are reportedly focused on continuing frontal assaults in other sectors, leading to significant losses.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

• Russian Army Is Squeezing Ukrainian Troops Out Of Pokrovsk (Videos)
• Assault On Vovchansk: Ukrainian Forces Amass Reserves To Hold Last Districts
• The Severed Hand of Midas: Internal Sabotage Undermines Ukraine’s Defense Capacity

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