DNIPROPETROVSK. Aug 8 (Interfax) - Twenty Ukrainian soldiers from one of the South Operational Command units have abandoned a checkpoint in the Donetsk region without permission, a spokesperson for the Operational Command said on Thursday.
"Inspection of the personnel at one of checkpoints in the Donetsk region on August 4 by the command of one of the South Operational Command units revealed the absence of 20 servicemen. It was established during an investigation of the circumstances under which 15 servicemen requested a short leave and left the checkpoint without waiting for the commander's affirmative decision. Yet another five servicemen quit the checkpoint without filing such requests," the spokesperson told Interfax, adding that the servicemen left the checkpoint unarmed.
South Operational Command representative Serhiy Zhalyuk said the incident is being investigated by Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk military prosecutors. When the inquiry is complete, the responsible will be held to account.