Ukraine claims Russian troops holding their commander hostage to prevent him from escaping

As Russia-Ukraine war gains momentum in eastern Europe, a phone conversation between an inver and his wife has been overheard by Ukrainian intelligence. intercept was me public on Telegram by press service of Ukraine's Chief Directorate of Intelligence, Ukrinform reported. soldier has informed his wife about several casualties as well as capture of a Russian commander prisoner who attempted to escape front lines. 

According to Ukrinform report, a Donetsk People’s Republic inver said, “ fourth battalion, y took ir commander prisoner. y forced him to stay with m so that he wouldn't flee.” He also ded, “y have a lot of wounded. We also loed vehicles yesterday. y are rey to escape. An order was given to stay. Yesterday, more than twenty wounded Russians were taken away".  

Furrmore, previously, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's Chief Directorate of Intelligence stated that a large number of Russian security agency workers h started to submit resignation letters. 

Meanwhile, Russian soldiers have detained nearly 8 mayors from Ukrainian cities in seized territory, according to Association of Ukrainian Cities, which was cited by Kyiv Independent. Ihor Kolykhaiev, mayor of communities in occupied Kherson Oblast, is one of eight authorities. 

European Court instructed Russia to protect rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war

Apart from this, European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg has instructed Kremlin to "protect rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs)," directing Kremlin forces to guarantee safety, dignity, as well as respect of captured Ukrainian soldiers while also providing m with necessary medical care. ECHR has also requested that Moscow must guarantee respect for Yaroslav Anatoliyovych Oliynichenko (a captured Ukrainian soldier)'s Convention rights and give him medical help which he requires. 

According to media reports, when re is "a real risk of irreparable damage" during conflict, ECHR is permitted to mandate "provisional measures" under Article 39 of its rules. After his wife filed an appeal, European court ordered Russian government to give information within a week on status of Ukrainian soldier Oliynichenko's custody and his well-being. European Court of Human Rights has furr requested Russia to make sure that two Britons who were held as POWs in Ukraine "do not face death penalty.” 

In dition to this, embattled Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Saturday night that "Russian must remember that Ukraine cannot be broken." President me this statement when Russians continued to pound areas of Ukraine in previous week, including a string of fatal airstrikes on Odesa that left 21 people de. Last Monday, a Russian missile that hit a mall killed roughly 19 people. 

(Image: AP)