Moscow: Russia has said that more than 400 Ukrainian soldiers had crossed over onto its territory to avoid fighting with pro-Kremlin insurgents in the east.
A security official said 438 troops had asked Russian authorities to open a "humanitarian corridor" overnight because they were no longer able to defend their positions.
The Ukrainian military confirmed that an undisclosed number of troops had crossed into Russia but denied Moscow media reports they were seeking permanent refugee status.
"The Russian border guards opened a humanitarian corridor and admitted 438 soldiers of the Ukrainian army" who surrendered their weapons, FSB official Vasily Malayev said, according to Russian news agencies.
But spokesman Oleksiy Dmitrashkivsky stressed that the troops "did not surrender". He did not specify the number of soldiers involved.
Images broadcast on Russian television station NTV showed dozens of Ukrainian soldiers milling about a tent camp set up at the Gukovo border post.
Ukrainian forces have stepped up operations in the area near the Russia border in an attempt to encircle the pro-Russian rebels around the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk.
A security official said 438 troops had asked Russian authorities to open a "humanitarian corridor" overnight because they were no longer able to defend their positions.
The Ukrainian military confirmed that an undisclosed number of troops had crossed into Russia but denied Moscow media reports they were seeking permanent refugee status.
"The Russian border guards opened a humanitarian corridor and admitted 438 soldiers of the Ukrainian army" who surrendered their weapons, FSB official Vasily Malayev said, according to Russian news agencies.
Advertisement
But spokesman Oleksiy Dmitrashkivsky stressed that the troops "did not surrender". He did not specify the number of soldiers involved.
Advertisement
Images broadcast on Russian television station NTV showed dozens of Ukrainian soldiers milling about a tent camp set up at the Gukovo border post.
Advertisement
Ukrainian forces have stepped up operations in the area near the Russia border in an attempt to encircle the pro-Russian rebels around the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Ukraine, Russia Both Claim Advances In Kursk Region "Guilty Of High Treason": Russia Jails US-Origin Ballet Dancer For 12 Years US Welcomes India's Engagement In War Between Russia, Ukraine How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death "Probably First Time Since '87/88...": Omar Abdullah On J&K Poll Dates Trump-Musk Chat Shows Innovation Alone Can Save Legacy Media Mob Sets Cars On Fire After 15-Year-Old Stabbed Inside Udaipur School On India-Bangladesh Border, A Strip Of Land Where Laws Of Both Apply Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.