A Russian rifle battalion has refused to fight in Ukraine as their colleagues prepare to launch an attack on the second-largest city in the country.
This week, Russian troops launched an offensive in Kharkiv, where fighting has ramped up in recent months.
However, a member of Atesh, a Ukrainian military partisan movement in the occupied territories, said that enemy soldiers refused to take part in the offensive, according to reports.
The Kyiv Independent cites a source within the unit who claimed some Russian soldiers outright refused to follow their commander’s orders.
They added: “In view of this, when … the order was given, part of the unit refused to carry out the criminal will of the command.”
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Russian soldiers have made small advances but vows to repel the assault.
He said: “Russia launched a new wave of counter-offensive actions in this area. Ukraine met them there with our troops, brigades, and artillery … Now there is a fierce battle underway.
“Along our state border and along our front line, we will invariably destroy the occupier in such a way as to thwart any Russian offensive intentions.”
The US has announced an additional $400 million in aid for Ukraine. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters he is also confident that Ukraine can defend its territory with Washington’s help.
He said: “It is possible that Russia will make further advances in the coming weeks, but we do not anticipate any major breakthroughs, and over time, the influx of US assistance will enable Ukraine to withstand these attacks over the course of 2024.
“Russia will likely increase the intensity of fire and commit additional troops in an attempt to establish a shallow buffer zone along the Ukrainian border.
“We are confident in the Ukrainian (forces) and we are working around the clock to get them the equipment, the tools, the weapons that they need to defend against these attacks.”