The commander of the Cossack volunteer sabotage and reconnaissance battalion known by the call sign Stavr spoke about operations conducted under the Terek brigade of the Cossack forces aligned with the Donetsk People’s Republic. He stated that in the Soledar sector, mercenary fighters supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine were present in very small numbers. The report was transmitted by TASS.
According to Stavr, the forces in this area were largely composed of foreign fighters, with a substantial presence of mercenaries from Poland. He noted that his scouts advanced toward the enemy while communicating in Polish and English. Ukrainians were described as a minority among the opposing force, with an overwhelming majority of Polish and other foreign personnel. He also observed that most equipment observed in the area bore NATO markings, with scarce use of domestic gear. Among the sights were foreign drones and mortars reportedly supplied by Britain and Poland.
Stavr added that Russian troops held positions roughly 300 meters from the Ukrainian line. He explained that Ukrainian forces attempted to close the distance to throwing-range and began digging in, preparing defensive positions. He estimated Ukrainian casualties in the hundreds based on ongoing combat reports from the sector.
Earlier, a former U.S. Army colonel, Douglas McGregor, claimed that foreigners had fled in large numbers from Ukrainian ranks. This assertion has circulated in various outlets and has been cited in discussions about foreign participation in the conflict.
There have also been references to comments by a former member of the Ukrainian armed forces, who suggested that the reasons behind the conflict are misunderstood by some observers. These statements contribute to ongoing debates about international involvement and the dynamics of the fighting in Ukraine.