Suicides among Russian officers increases since Russian invasion began – Defence Intelligence

The number of suicides among Russian officers has increased significantly since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing Andrii Yusov, Spokesman for Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast 

Quote: "The number of suicides among the Ruscists and Russian officers has increased since the start of the full-scale invasion, and increased significantly. Some [suicides – ed.] may be related to such fears [that the Ukrainian military will find them – ed.]."

Details: Yusov said Ukraine is ready to accept those Russians who do not want to get their hands dirty and carry out criminal orders, regardless of their rank, from privates to generals and commanders, if they surrender as part of the Hochu Zhit (I want to live) project. [I Want to Live is a Ukrainian state-run initiative where Russian servicemen are offered an opportunity to surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine – ed.].

Yusov is sure that this is the best and safest way out of the situation for Russian officers.

"We guarantee treatment in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, despite the fact that we are talking about murderers and aggressors. This means guaranteeing that it [surrender – ed.] will lead to captivity," Yusov assured.

Answering the question about artillery forward observers who actually kill fellow citizens, Yusov stated that, unfortunately, these can include different people who, among other things, may feel nostalgic for the evil Soviet empire.

"But we should not think that we will definitely see some descriptions like ‘an elderly person with a beard’ or ‘without a beard’ and [assume] this is an artillery observer or a Russian FSB agent, and then we urgently call the special services. No, we need to be vigilant. And counterintelligence measures, of course, continue; the threat is ongoing, because the Russian special services continue their operation," Yusov said.

He also noted that the Russians have not accepted the fact that they are not greeted with flowers in Ukraine. Yusov said they continue to make attempts to involve Ukrainians into their affairs in various ways – directly and indirectly, by finding them on social networks, telephone, and via personal contacts.

"Of course, you have to be very attentive. You should contact the Ukrainian law enforcement authorities if there is any such suspicious contact. If you see the activities of a person who may harm the Ukrainian security and defence forces with their actions, you should contact the law enforcement authorities," Yusov said.

He added that the Russian special services, unfortunately, are a sufficient threat and effective force in many matters, and Russia spends huge resources on their activities.

Answering the question of whether there are cases when the Russians introduce their agents into Ukrainian local authorities, Yusov said that the Russian special services keep making such attempts.

He noted that the work of the special services, no matter how difficult and expensive it may be, is still cheaper for the Russian Federation, in comparison with the front and the army’s costs.

"So yes, they have tried, are trying and will continue to try [to introduce their agents into Ukrainian local authorities – ed.]. The other thing is that today such work is as difficult as possible for the Ruscists thanks to the Ukrainian special services’ effective activities and civil society’s monolithic position. This is a case when unity and vigilance give results," Yusov said.

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