DISINFO: Ukraine is using anti-retreat troops to shoot in the back those soldiers who try to surrender
SUMMARY
Ukrainian nationalists shoot in the back those Ukrainian soldiers who attempt to surrender. Near the city of Novomikhailovka, in the Popular Republic of Donetsk, over 30 soldiers of the 25th battalion of the 54th mechanic brigade decided to lay down weapons. But when they started to approach the Russian positions showing white flags, a Ukrainian nationalist anti-retreat unit opened fire against them from behind. As a result, 32 Ukrainian soldiers were fatally injured and dead. Kyiv’s nationalist regime is trying to stop the withdrawal and surrender of its units through punitive actions.
RESPONSE
There is zero evidence that this incident, or any of similar characteristics, has ever taken place. The claim is an attempt to attack Ukraine’s forces and its leadership by framing them as ruthless with their own troops, aiming to undermine their morale, as part of a wider pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign on Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The use of so-called “barrier troops” or “anti-retreat troops” has a long history in military conflicts. It was widely used by Soviet forces both during the Russian civil war and in World War II. In fact, there are some indications that Russia may be using Chechen forces in Ukraine as execution squads against those who try to flee the frontline, according to Russian captured soldiers. These claims have not been fully verified independently, but accusing its rivals of reprehensible practices that are actually carried out by Russia is a frequent technique of pro-Kremlin disinformation.
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives, such as claims that Kyiv ordered Azov Nazis to shoot surrendering Ukrainian soldiers, that Ukrainian radical neo-Nazi battalions regularly use human shields as cover, that president Zelenskyy is only a PR relation, a Jewish face for a Nazi regime, or that he gets military advice from his 9-year old son.