In the Donetsk People’s Republic, a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine surrendered its weapons, according to a report from the press service of the DPR People’s Militia. The report was disseminated via Telegram channels affiliated with the NM, the DPR’s militia organization.
The DPR press service stated that NM forces directed artillery fire at Ukrainian positions near Zaitsevo. Following the shelling, a surrender offer was sent to Ukrainian troops through Telegram, and, as claimed by the NM, fighters from the Ukrainian Armed Forces laid down their arms. The militia asserted that control over the surrendered positions was subsequently established by DPR forces.
In related remarks, a former deputy commander of a DPR People’s Militia battalion, who uses the call sign “Khokhol,” claimed that Ukrainian nationalist battalions in the Avdiivka area were reportedly firing on mobilized Ukrainian soldiers. He suggested preliminary data indicated some mobilized personnel were preparing to surrender or retreat from the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities have described the ongoing military activity in Ukraine as a special operation. President Vladimir Putin announced the operation on February 24, framing it as an effort to demilitarize Ukraine and oppose what he described as its nationalist leadership. The announcement coincided with new sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, which were cited by Moscow as a response to the operation and its broader regional impact.
Observers note that information from various sides in the conflict is frequently contested and rapidly evolving. Analysts emphasize the importance of corroborating reports across multiple independent sources to gain a fuller understanding of battlefield developments, ceasefire prospects, and humanitarian considerations in affected regions. Attribution is often provided by the respective regional press services or government spokespeople, but differences in narrative and emphasis can be substantial depending on the source. [citation: DPR NM press service; remarks attributed to regional officials and named individuals; contemporary international responses are reported by allied governments and major news agencies.]