The Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion, paramilitary units based in Ukraine and fighting against Russian forces and Vladimir Putin’s government, have published videos to say that Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has failed to turn up at the meeting they offered him to fetch captives.
“By the way, there are many more captives now, but military and civilian leaders alike do not care about them. Only Yevgeny Prigozhin showed bravery and said he was ready for talks,” the fighters said.
According to them, their captives will now be transferred to Ukraine.
Gladkov previously reported in his Telegram channel that he had held an “operational meeting with state and municipal authorities”. He gave no details of the meeting’s agenda.
Earlier today, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that another “saboteur attack” on the Belgorod region had been thwarted.
Before that, Gladkov noted that clashes with saboteurs were ongoing in Novaya Tavolzhanka. He then agreed to meet the Russian Volunteer Corps to get its two captives released.
Founder of the mercenary Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin later reacted to the offer: “If no one shows up at the specified location to fetch the captives, I am willing to send one of my top deputies to get them. If [Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelensky arrives there, I am ready to be there myself.”
