FAKE: A russian serviceman personally neutralized nine mines and two bombs to ensure a "successful offensive"

FAKE: A russian serviceman personally neutralized nine mines and two bombs to ensure a “successful offensive”

30 March 2022
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Social networks disseminate posts about the “heroism” of the Russian military that invaded Ukraine. Among other stories, propaganda outlets talk about the chief of staff of the pontoon crossings battalion, captain Anton Mikhaylus. It is argued that he and his subordinates broke through the echelon defense of Ukrainian troops.

“He personally defused nine anti-tank mines and two improvised explosive devices, thanks to which our armored vehicles continued the offensive, avoiding losses,” Russian websites and social media groups wrote.

Translation: Crimea News

Russia’s defense ministry continues writing the chronicles of the military heroism of Russian soldiers taking part in the special operation in Ukraine. The head of staff of the pontoon crossings battalion, Anton Mikhaylus, broke through the enemy’s echelon defenses together with his subordinates. He personally defused nine anti-tank mines and two high-power improvised explosive devices, which allowed our armored vehicles to continue the offensive, avoiding losses. Junior sergeant Yevgeny Balukhta fired his armored vehicle cannon and destroyed the enemy’s truck carrying about 25 nationalists and a mobile control center…

CRIMEAPRESS.INFO

Russia’s defense ministry continues to write a glorious chronicle of the courage and heroism of Russian warriors.  

A Facebook post 

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation (CCD) at the National Security and Defense Council debunked this fake news. 

“For starters, the russian army’s pontoon crossings battalions are designed to provide combat support for troops crossing large water obstacles. Second, mine clearance is carried out by combat engineering regiments, brigades, and companies. Third, only a person not familiar with the realities of the russian armed forces would believe that a chief of staff went out to clear the mines himself,” the CCD wrote.

Alongside Mikhail, similar posts mention the “heroism” of junior sergeant Yevgeny Balukhta, who destroyed a “truck carrying 25 nationalists,” and senior lieutenant Aleksei Grishyn, who allegedly shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There is no evidence of such losses from the Armed Forces.

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