Ivan Korolev, a Russian lieutenant, is apparently seeking political asylum in Lithuania. He illegally crossed the country’s border and was arrested in the capital Vilnius and taken to a border post.
He then contacted a BBC correspondent there. “On August 3, I decided to leave the Russian Federation because I did not want to participate in the bloody war unleashed by my state. I am currently in the Republic of Lithuania, where I have asked for political asylum,” reported n-tv.de citing Korolev’s statements to the BBC. He stated that he had participated in Russian aggression against Ukraine but had never been deployed outside Russia. So far, the officer’s claims could not be verified, according to the BBC.
More news from Ukraine:
Ihor Klymenko, the Minister of Interior of Ukraine, according to The Kyiv Independent reported that Russian forces shelled the town of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhya oblast with a guided bomb, killing one person and injuring 12 others. Among the fatalities, according to Klymenko, was the 31-year-old police captain of Orikhiv. Four of the wounded were also police officers. Several of the wounded are currently in critical condition, receiving medical treatment. The city is currently a frequent target of Russian attacks, as fierce fighting is currently taking place on the front lines near Orikhiv. As recently as the end of July, Russia also attacked Orikhiv with guided bombs.
Image: Oregon National Guard from Salem, Oregon, United States, File:160802-Z-NT154-010 (28775568452), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, (no edits made).