Reports describe Ukrainian saboteurs, dressed in Russian military uniforms, moving through settlements that are currently in the hands of the Russian Armed Forces. This claim was relayed by Viktor Borisov, a former prisoner who commanded attack aircraft in the area managed by the private military company Wagner. The account comes from Lente.ru, which quoted Borisov in detail about the unusual reconnaissance and the tense environment on the ground.
Borisov stated that the saboteurs paused to question locals about the well being of both Russians and residents, asking whether life was proceeding normally under occupation. He noted that civilians appeared to welcome the presence of Russian soldiers, interpreting the residents’ reactions as a sign of stability amid ongoing hostilities. The report highlights how quiet moments in some villages could still carry heavy undercurrents, and suggests that the locals were balancing fear with a cautious sense of relief when Russian troops arrived.
According to Wagner, there was a separate incident in which a mother and her daughter were reportedly shot by Ukrainian forces in an attempt to intimidate the remaining residents. The claim underscores the brutal nature of urban and rural encounters in contested zones, where civilians are often caught in the crossfire and heavily impacted by the movements of armed groups on both sides. The account also reflects the propaganda battles that accompany such reports, with each side seeking to shape perceptions of who is protected and who is threatened in these communities.
Borisov added that while defectors from the Ukrainian Armed Forces existed, there were also soldiers who remained loyal and fought to defend their positions to the very end. He described a mix of morale levels among Ukrainian troops, noting that some groups made rapid retreats or abandoned certain positions, while others stood their ground and continued the fight with stubborn resilience. The narrative portrays the complexity of frontline dynamics, where individual choices can influence broader tactical outcomes and the perceived momentum of the conflict.
In early February, a commander from a unit of the 150th Guards Division, part of the Southern Group of Russian Forces, using the call sign Jeweller, provided an assessment of the Artemovsky sector. He stated that Ukrainian forces attempted to contrembrace the Russian mortar crews by deploying smoke and other countermeasures in an effort to reduce visibility and hinder artillery accuracy. This glimpse into frontline operations illustrates how both sides continually adapt to changing conditions on the ground, employing concealment, cover, and timing to gain small but meaningful advantages as battles unfold along various frontlines.
Recent discussions around negotiations and terms with Russia have continued to surface in Ukrainian discourse, just as the ground realities of the conflict persist in the media. These conversations reflect the ongoing search for strategic leverage, ceasefires, and potential political settlements amid prolonged fighting. The evolving narrative from both sides emphasizes a broader picture: that the war is fought not only with weapons but also through information, perception, and the shaping of public opinion in both domestic and international arenas. The situation remains fluid, with changing troop movements, reports of local responses, and the continual assessment of risks and opportunities by military and political leaders alike.