Russians hunt their troops after civilian massacre near Ukraine's Pokrovsk — Intel

According to an intercepted communication released by the Defense Intelligence, near the city of Pokrovsk, two Russian soldiers first shot local civilians and then fled their positions. An officer of Russia's 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Army is heard warning a fellow serviceman about the fugitives.

The officer cautioned that the soldiers could appear in the area where the unit is deployed and urged that they be detained immediately if spotted.

"Watch out, there are two new guys, they might come into your area. If you see them, detain them immediately. Tie them up as soon as you catch them,” the officer said.

Ukraine's intelligence noted that the intercepted call effectively confirms that Russian forces are systematically killing civilians. It also indicates that Russian troops practice extrajudicial executions of their own servicemen.

"Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reminds that every war crime committed against the Ukrainian people will be met with just retribution," the statement said.

#Russian troops continue to commit war crimes in #Ukraine—Ukrainian #intelligence has obtained evidence of another killing of civilians pic.twitter.com/NtV8wRdd35

— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) February 8, 2026

Earlier, representatives of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate released intercepted communications in which Russians said they had received orders to kill civilians near Pokrovsk. According to the intercepts, this is exactly what they were doing during the fighting for the city—killing any civilians they found in Pokrovsk.

Overall, this episode also corroborates earlier intelligence assessments. According to those findings, Russian forces on the front lines are suffering from severe moral exhaustion due to constant strikes by Ukraine's Defense Forces, failed assaults, and heavy losses. As a result, some troops are reportedly using drugs to "relax."