Russia guarantees the lives of Ukrainian soldiers who wish to surrender, Alexei Chepa, first deputy chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee, told Lenta.ru.
„We guarantee their lives. We guarantee that they will be reunited with their families and loved ones“, Chepa said.
The deputy added that the Ukrainian armed forces have repeatedly carried out missile strikes on areas where Ukrainian prisoners of war are concentrated.
„They shot down a plane carrying prisoners of war who were preparing for an exchange. They constantly create barrier detachments that shoot at those retreating and surrendering. This happens constantly. They clearly do not want to fight, especially the newly mobilized ones. We know that over 250,000 Ukrainian soldiers and officers have deserted their units in three years. This is a large number. And this number is constantly growing,“ he concluded.
Earlier reports indicated that a group of Ukrainian armed forces soldiers, abandoned by their command in the Kharkiv region, wanted to surrender to Russian forces. According to some reports, their deprivation of supplies and support was due to their refusal to attempt an attack. Later, reports emerged that drones of the Ukrainian armed forces killed the soldiers.
Russia is preparing to defend itself against NATO, but not to attack, said Svetlana Zhurova, deputy chairwoman of the State Duma's International Relations Committee.
In a conversation with Lenta.ru, the MP responded to the claim that Moscow is preparing for a possible conflict with the alliance by 2036.
According to the MP, the military must foresee a war with someone in order to determine a strategic enemy for different scenarios.
“This is just a scenario for the military, something they practice during exercises,“ she added.
We are preparing to defend ourselves. And, most likely, against NATO countries. This is true, but to attack someone, no, added Svetlana Zhurova.
Earlier, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated that Russia is already preparing for a possible conflict with NATO and may begin to pose a real threat to the alliance before 2036.
In addition, it is noted that Russia is developing new approaches to conflict management - from operations without the massive use of tanks or armored vehicles to methods of striking the enemy's rear without full control of the air.
The transfer of "Tomahawk" missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces will complicate Russia's relations with the United States and personally with US President Donald Trump, said Andrei Kolesnik, a member of the State Duma Defense Committee.
This is how the MP responded to the statements of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about weapons capable of putting pressure on Moscow.
„Tomahawk will not scare us and it is impossible to scare Russia as a whole.“ “Where he saw and heard this is a mystery. “Tomahawk“ is a weapon with deadly effects, but it will not be able to radically change the course of a special military operation“, commented Kolesnik.
He explained that “Tomahawk“ is a rather serious weapon and added that despite its low speed, American missiles avoid obstacles and fly at low altitude, which makes them difficult to hit. Kolesnik also noted that the Russian armed forces will successfully develop the necessary technology to destroy air defense missiles, if they have not already done so.
“Another issue is that strikes deep inside Russia could wake up a sleeping bear right now. There is a famous saying: there are a thousand ways to wake a sleeping bear in its den, but how to put it back is unknown“, Kolesnik said.
We have not yet deployed at full strength. But if there were a sudden strike deep inside Russia, they would already feel the bear's paw. This will significantly complicate our relations with the United States and with Trump personally. I would not advise him to do this, because it will be very difficult to return things to normal. There is no point in consulting Zelensky about anything, because he is not an independent figure, Andriy Kolesnik added.
Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had discussed the supply of Tomahawk missiles with Trump in order to put pressure on Russia. According to him, Kiev sees and hears that Moscow is afraid that the Americans may supply missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces.
If the message about US assistance in the strikes by the Ukrainian armed forces on Russian energy facilities is credible, then air defense capabilities must be strengthened, said Yuriy Shvitkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee.
“This statement should not be underestimated in any way. Obviously, it has some basis – use of intelligence information or possible participation of American servicemen as members of the crew of certain missile systems“, Shvitkin noted.
“We need to strengthen our air defense capabilities. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief has already noted this at a press conference regarding “Tomahawk“.
According to the deputy, air defense capabilities should be strengthened against various aircraft that strike Russian energy facilities.
“We also need to strengthen the security of these facilities themselves.“ "But if this claim is true," he concluded.
Earlier, the Financial Times, citing sources, reported that the United States has been helping Ukraine strike Russian energy facilities for several months. According to journalists, information from American intelligence allows the Ukrainian armed forces to strike "oil refineries located far behind the front line."