SOVIET KILLING OF OWN SOLDIERS TO PREVENT THEM FROM BECOMING PRISONERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86B00420R000501150009-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2009
• Sequence Number: 9
• Content Type: MISC

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/11/30 : CIA-RDP86B0042OR000501150009-1
Soviet Killing of Own Soldiers to Prevent Them from Becoming Prisoners
that the Soviet Army in Afghanistan deliberately bombed~someyofaitsatroops
to prevent them from being taken prisoner. This is not the first time we-
have had informatiort-of this, nature:
One of the two Soviet defectors
minimize the number of their troops who are d by trying
to locate them and kill them"; cited the
case of a downed Soviet helicopter crew that had been attacked
by another Soviet helicopter. (Att. 2)
After interviewing Soviet prisoners in Afghanistan, Freedom
House staffer Ludmilla Thorn has stated that "If the Soviet
high command hears where there are Soviet prisoners located,
it will immediately order the bombing of the place, even give
it precedence for bombing". (Att. 3)
,
e
mer
of looking after the welfare of US POWs, such Soviet barbarism mayllberhardue
to believe. Yet such barbarism has played a major role in keeping the
Soviet system going for these many years. There is no reason why the
Soviets should shy away from it in Afghanistan.
SFCWF
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/11/30 : CIA-RDP86B0042OR000501150009-1
insurgent groups from taking prisoners and Soviet soldiers
from defecting.
command gives top priority to attacking insurgent groups
holding Soviet prisoners, the intent being to dissuade
For many in the West
accustomed to th
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