Russia uses African recruits as human shields in Ukraine's kill zones, intelligence says
Photo: Russian forces are using recruited foreign nationals as human shields (t.me/DIUkraine)
Russian forces are using recruited foreign nationals, including citizens of African countries, as human shields when moving through kill zones, according to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR).
Ukrainian intelligence officers intercepted a conversation between Russian troops from the 39th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces.
In the intercepted radio communication, a Russian unit commander gives his subordinate explicit instructions, ordering him to send an African mercenary ahead of him through a kill zone (an area under intense enemy fire control).
"Walk along the path the whole time. Walk calmly and listen to the air. Send the 'chocolate guy' ahead of you. Let him walk about twenty meters ahead. If anything happens, guide him by voice," the Russian commander instructed his subordinate.
The Defense Intelligence stressed that this incident is yet another example of how Russian forces treat foreign nationals. For Russia's military leadership, recruited foreigners are nothing more than expendable resources.
Russian troops are recruiting mercenaries from African and Asian countries to take part in assault operations in the Huliaipole direction.
