Overview
- RIA Novosti and TASS on November 4 published interviews from Melitopol with members of the Martyn Pushkary detachment made up of former Ukrainian servicemen from Zaporizhzhia.
- The detachment says it remains independent, has not joined Russia’s armed forces, and plans to fight alongside Russian units to “liberate” territory.
- A fighter using the call sign Fartovy alleges Ukraine’s National Guard functions as barrier troops that open fire on soldiers attempting to retreat, a claim not corroborated by independent sources.
- Another member, identified as Bob, describes superficial training and low motivation among mobilized Ukrainian personnel, presenting personal testimony rather than verified assessment.
- A fighter criticizes US and Canadian instructors as poorly qualified, while separate Russian Defense Ministry statements cite recent village gains in Zaporizhzhia, and TASS notes the city of Zaporizhzhia remains under Ukrainian control.