The British newspaper "The Times" reported that Russian defectors loyal to Ukraine captured Russian soldiers inside Russian territory and talked about their capture and fate, while Brussels opened an investigation into the use of Belgian weapons delivered to Ukraine on the condition that they are not used outside Ukrainian territory.
A pro-Kiev Russian paramilitary group calling itself the "Russian Volunteer Corps" captured Russian soldiers during a cross-border raid, and posted a video on Telegram that showed more than 10 Russian soldiers and said it captured them during an armed incursion into the Belgorod region, about 650 kilometers south of Moscow, and two of the captives were lying on hospital beds.
"They took up arms against their will"
An unidentified Corps fighter said: "These Russian men took up arms against their will. Soon they will understand how despicable and unjust the war launched by Putin is." The group said it was holding more Russian soldiers during the fighting in the Belgorod region, but gave no figures, adding that it would extradite them to Ukraine for exchange with Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia.
The Times added that Legion fighters were seen waving Czech and Belgian rifles during their incursion into southern Russia, noting that these rifles were offered to Kiev on condition that they were used only in Ukraine.
Russian volunteer corps seen near Russian border in Ukraine (Reuters)
Belgian investigation
Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder stressed that the guns provided by Brussels to Ukraine should not be used by "independent groups" to carry out attacks inside Russia.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the Belgian Ministry of Defense and intelligence agencies had opened an investigation, stressing that they would take this matter seriously, and said: "We are asking the Ukrainians to clarify the situation."
Kiev has denied any involvement in the cross-border raids and portrayed the emergence of heavily armed militias as a result of political tensions inside Russia.