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Ukrainian Defector Now Commands Russian Forces Amid Tension

9/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

Serhiy Storozhenko, born in Kharkiv Oblast in 1975, defected to Russia following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
He commanded around 1,200 Ukrainian troops during the takeover, with half returning to Ukraine.
After defecting, he advanced to major general by February 2022 and was promoted to lieutenant general in 2023.
He now commands Russia's 6th Combined Arms Army, leading operations in the Kupyansk direction.
The Ukrainian military reports a "tense" situation in Kharkiv, with Russian forces advancing from nearby villages.

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Story summary

Serhiy Storozhenko, born in Kharkiv Oblast in 1975, defected to Russia following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
He commanded around 1,200 Ukrainian troops during the takeover, with half returning to Ukraine.
After defecting, he advanced to major general by February 2022 and was promoted to lieutenant general in 2023.
He now commands Russia's 6th Combined Arms Army, leading operations in the Kupyansk direction.
The Ukrainian military reports a "tense" situation in Kharkiv, with Russian forces advancing from nearby villages.