wo Russian soldiers died after eating “poisoned” pies given to them by Ukrainian citizens, a Ukrainian intelligence service claimed. Soldiers from Russia’s 3rd Motorized Rifle Division died shortly after eating the delicacies served by residents at Izium near Kharkov, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate. Another 28 Russian soldiers are in intensive care, with hundreds more suffering from “serious illnesses” after drinking poisoned alcohol of “unknown origin”. The agency said: “The Ukrainians are resisting the occupiers by all available means. According to the available information, residents of the Izium region (Kharkiv region) were “treated” by Russians from the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Federation with poisoned pies. “As a result, two conquerors died at the same time, another 28 were transferred to the intensive care unit. Their current situation is being clarified.

READ MORE

“About 500 more soldiers of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Federation are in hospitals due to severe alcohol poisoning of unknown origin.” Officials said the Russian government was dismissing the allegations as “non-combat casualties.” The agency added that the Ukrainian civilians were resisting the Russian forces with all available means. Izium is expected to see more fighting in the coming weeks, as it is understood Putin is redeploying troops to fight in eastern Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians have died and more than 4 million have fled the country since Vladimir Putin began invading the country on February 24. His army failed to achieve its main military objectives amid logistical issues, low morale and fierce Ukrainian resistance. NATO estimates that Russia has lost 7,000 to 15,000 troops in the conflict. On Saturday, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar claimed that Ukrainian forces had retaken the entire area of ​​Kiev from Russian troops. Ms Malyar said the area around the capital had been “liberated” amid growing indications that Russian troops were withdrawing from the area after suffering heavy casualties. He wrote on Facebook: “Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole area of ​​Kiev – are liberated from the invader.”