Two of the top commanders who surrendered last month at the Azovstal plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol have been transferred to Russia “for investigation”, Russia’s state news agency TASS reported.
The state news agency reports, citing sources within the Russian police, that they are deputy commander Svyatoslav Palamar of the Azov battalion and Serhi Volynsky, a commander of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian army. Both the Azov battalion, which Russia and pro-Russian separatists believe is Nazi, and the 36th Marine Brigade played a major role in defending the steel factory in the southern port city.
They were transferred to Russia from the pro-Russian Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine to “carry out investigative activities with them,” TASS said. Several other officers from various Ukrainian units are also said to have been taken to Russia. Reuters news agency could not independently confirm the claims. Kiev has not yet responded.
Insecurity
There is much uncertainty about the fate of hundreds of fighters captured by Russian troops last month after long defending the Mariupol steel plant. Russia previously claimed they had been transferred to Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine. However, a large number of Ukrainian soldiers are also said to have been transferred to Russia “for investigation”.
Kiev said earlier this month that Ukrainian intelligence services were in contact with the captured fighters.