REUTERS
Seven Russian soldiers stationed in the militant-held town of Avdiyivka have attempted to desert, and one of them has been killed by a Russian officer when the victim was trying to surrender to the Ukrainian armed forces, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's defense intelligence service.
"On March 19, seven soldiers of the 11th separate motorized rifle regiment (Makiyivka) deserted from the industrial zone of Avdiyivka. When trying to surrender to the Ukrainian armed forces, one of the deserters was eliminated by a Russian officer," the intelligence service said.
Significant losses and the risk of being engaged in an offensive cause the low morale of the Russian soldiers of the 1st Army Corps of the Russian armed forces, who are at the forefront.