Ukrainian soldier disappears in Donbas clash
A Ukrainian soldier disappeared during a recent clash with pro-Russian militants near Mykolaivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, the 35th Naval Infantry Brigade announced on Sunday, without specifying an exact date for the incident.
“Today it was learned that the body of a Ukrainian soldier could be in the morgue of one of the cities in the occupied territory. We are currently taking all possible measures to identify the deceased person and, if the information is confirmed, bring back our brother’s body,” the statement reads.
The brigade said that, under the cover of fog, in an attempt to obtain a more advantageous position, the enemy tried to stealthily cross the security zone opposite the Ukrainian positions near the village of Mykolaivka.
“Our brothers who were on duty at the observation post noticed the enemy’s movement in time and opened fire on the enemy, forcing them to retreat,” the brigade explained.
At this point, a reserve group came to assist the naval infantry, and started to pursue the enemy.
In order to cover its retreating saboteurs, the enemy began to fire at the Ukrainian group with large caliber machine guns and other weapons.
One of the Ukrainian soldiers disappeared during the fighting.
The group immediately began a search and evacuation operation in the region. The brigade command asked the international observers to arrange a ceasefire, but the enemy continued to bombard them.