Eight Ukrainian soldiers have been captured by militants at Donetsk airport. Screenshot from Lifenews.ru
Eight Ukrainian soldiers who got lost in thick fog while attempting to reach the Ukrainian troops defending Donetsk airport have been captured by the Russian-backed insurgents, Presidential Advisor Yuriy Biriukov wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening.
"This morning, several dozen fighters of the Airborne Forces went to help their comrades-in-arms at Donetsk airport. There was a thick fog, and the visibility was about 20-30 meters. It is difficult to explain to civilians, who have never been on the front line - this fog is fatal for the mind and for people," he said.
According to Biriukov, the Ukrainian soldiers had to move on a flat expanse of concrete, without any points of reference.
"And they missed [the terminal]. They missed it by some 800 meters, and went a little to the left. And they found themselves directly in a place of concentration of the militants," he said.
"There was a fight. There were casualties, and eight soldiers were taken prisoner. I think, it hasn’t been officially announced, but no one will deny it, as we have [their] names and documents," Biriukov said.