Russians retreat after setting fire to house holding specialist unit
An international unit fighting for Ukraine escaped being burned alive after foiling an attack from Russian special forces, a source has revealed.
Soldiers fighting on the Ukrainian side were targeted as they defended a bank of the Dnipro River in the east of the country on March 28 .
According to a Ukrainian source, whose unit and identity cannot be revealed for operational reasons, a group of four men approached a position held by the international unit and told them to surrender.
Minutes later a 12-strong Russian special forces team attacked the door of the house equipped with “AK-12 assault rifles and dual night-vision goggles”.
A heart-pounding engagement then followed with the Russians posting smoke and CS gas grenades into the building to try and disorientate their targets.
During a dramatic 45-minute firefight the outnumbered international team bravely held their ground forcing the attackers back as the Russians took casualties.
As the Russians fell back they set fire to the house in an attempt to burn the Ukrainian unit alive, but luckily the soldiers were able to escape and all five defenders were taken to hospital in Odessa.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk the source said: “Shortly after dusk a four man team approached the house the international unit occupied and told them to surrender.
“Several minutes later a 12-man Russian special forces team made their way to the door. Equipped with AK-12’s and dual night-vision goggles.
“They breached the door and posted smoke grenades and CS gas and after the smoke built up they made entry into the building on the ground floor.
“As they made their way up the stairs to the second floor they were met with small arms fire from the international team which pushed them back.
“They then decided to use more CS gas to incapacitate the defenders. In conjunction to this they threw in percussion grenades through the windows of the second floor to disorientate the soldiers within.
“A gun fight broke out and lasted approximately 45 minutes until the Russians received casualties due to the foreigners dropping down hand grenades to the bottom floor causing three Russian casualties.
“Once Russian casualties were taken several soldiers outside opened up with small arms fire and HE grenades to allow them to evacuate, however during the evacuation they set fire to the house trying to burn the occupants alive.
“After approximately one hour the foreign soldiers managed to break clean of the house and make their way to the evacuation point.”
“All five soldiers were admitted to Kherson hospital for treatment then transferred to Odessa military hospital.”
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