[GK3]

I wonder whether Kazakhstan or another former Soviet republic gave refuge to the Ukrainian soldiers after their attack. I don’t see how Ukraine would be able to extract their soldiers without a safe haven in the East.

I don't think Ukraine "extracted" anybody. The large plurality of the personnel involved in the operation are undoubtedly Russian citizens, many of which live in the area. There may (or may not) have been Ukrainians infiltrated into the area to co-ordinate the operations, but if there were, they are probably intending to stay there and conduct more operations. It isn't worth the risk of extracting and re-inserting such people. Just stay hidden. If you get caught, that is just the breaks. It could have happened on the way in or the way out just as well.

Are the Russians in that area, those whom Putin classifies as real Russians or those second class Russians whom he is happy to send to the meat grinder in the Ukraine? Might be a good number disgruntled types wiling to help.

[GK3]

I wonder whether Kazakhstan or another former Soviet republic gave refuge to the Ukrainian soldiers after their attack. I don’t see how Ukraine would be able to extract their soldiers without a safe haven in the East.

I don't think Ukraine "extracted" anybody. The large plurality of the personnel involved in the operation are undoubtedly Russian citizens, many of which live in the area. There may (or may not) have been Ukrainians infiltrated into the area to co-ordinate the operations, but if there were, they are probably intending to stay there and conduct more operations. It isn't worth the risk of extracting and re-inserting such people. Just stay hidden. If you get caught, that is just the breaks. It could have happened on the way in or the way out just as well.

Are the Russians in that area, those whom Putin classifies as real Russians or those second class Russians whom he is happy to send to the meat grinder in the Ukraine? Might be a good number disgruntled types wiling to help.