Ukrainska Pravda reported that the confrontation occurred on 3/12 at the Zhovten sanatorium in the Koncha-Zaspa area, south of Kyiv. The incident involved agents of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and soldiers from Reserve Battalion 178.
GUR members breached the sanatorium's gate and fence, fired warning shots, and detained 10 soldiers from Battalion 178, inflicting "significant injuries" on them. The GUR agents later released the Battalion 178 service members and barricaded themselves inside the facility, preventing military and police representatives from entering.
A GUR spokesperson stated that the agency had signed an agreement with the Zhovten sanatorium owner to use the facility as staff accommodation. However, soldiers from Battalion 178 occupied the premises under a separate contract signed with the sanatorium's management. A source indicated that GUR representatives had repeatedly asked the soldiers to vacate the location.
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Zhovten sanatorium in the Koncha-Zaspa area, Kyiv, Ukraine. *Photo: UP* |
A day after the incident was reported, Ukrainian media stated that three Russian suicide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacked the Zhovten sanatorium. Related casualties and damages have not been disclosed.
Sevgil Musayeva, editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda, explained that the newspaper disclosed the location of the clash for the public interest. "This was an armed clash between GUR members and Ukrainian soldiers within Kyiv's city limits. This is not speculation or rumor, but a fact confirmed by multiple parties and unavoidable attention," she said.
According to Musayeva, information about Ukrainian soldiers residing at the Zhovten sanatorium had been public since 2024. "Everyone knew this long before the media reported it," she emphasized.
Russian officials have not commented on the information.
In its war situation report on 4/12, Russia's Ministry of Defense stated its forces attacked 153 targets, including military facilities, sites for personnel and weapon accumulation of the Ukrainian army, along with infrastructure for launching UAVs, logistics networks, and energy facilities, but did not disclose specific locations.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, UP, Reuters)
