According to the ministry, Viktor Ageev has never served in Russia’s Armed Forces under contract

MOSCOW, June 28. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry has refuted the BBC reports on the alleged capture of "Russian serviceman" Viktor Ageev in the Lugansk Region.

"Viktor Ageev has never served in Russia’s Armed Forces under contract. According to the records of the Russian Defense Ministry, Ageev conducted compulsory military service in the Russian Armed Forces, which he left in accordance with the established procedure in May 2016. Information that Viktor Ageev rejoined the Russian Armed Forces under contract was made up by Ukrainian agitators," the ministry reported.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the second page of Ageev’s military card contains a note that he left service in May 2016. "The military card could also contain a note that Ageev rejoined the Russian Armed Forces under contract, but Ukrainian intelligence agencies failed to write it there out of ignorance," the ministry stressed.

Earlier, the Russian BBC service reported, quoting the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces 93rd separate mechanized brigade, that Russian Viktor Ageev, who, allegedly, was conscripted in the Altay Region and served under contract, had been captured in the Lugansk Region.