CNN, citing anonymous Western sources, reported that Russia plans to send up to 1,000 more mercenaries to Ukraine and is prepared to bomb cities to enforce compliance at the risk of large numbers of civilian casualties.
As early as this week, U.S. officials have been pointing to signs that Russia may be using mercenaries in certain locations in Ukraine, CNN recalls. Now one source says Moscow plans to send 1,000 more mercenaries in the coming days or weeks.
Mercenary missions
The official also assessed that the mercenaries already in Ukraine “did not cope well with their task, having met tougher than expected resistance from the Ukrainians.” In his opinion, up to 200 such mercenaries were killed by the end of February.
The channel also quotes a Western intelligence source as saying that Russia appears ready to bomb cities to force them to surrender. – This is a very rough approach. Heavy weapons are not only heavier in weight, but also deal more damage. It’s also much less selective,” the quoted official said.
Civilians as human shields
The Russian occupier is shooting at civilians and using women, children and the elderly as human shields, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Facebook on Saturday morning.
“In the face of constant resistance and awareness of the illegality of their actions, the occupiers continue to shoot civilians, launch rocket and bomb attacks on life support facilities and residential buildings, hospitals, kindergartens, use women, children and the elderly as human shields,” the release says.
“The Armed Forces of Ukraine and units of the security and territorial defense forces are fighting fierce battles for the liberation of Ukrainian cities from Russian occupation. The troops of the invaders are demoralized, the soldiers and officers of the invaders continue to surrender, flee, leaving their weapons and equipment on Ukrainian soil. The ordinary unarmed population also conducts active hostilities against the enemy, demonstrating their civil position in relation to the occupier and inflicting psychological trauma on him, “says in a message from headquarters.