Hundreds

of Ukrainian soldiers saved their lives by crossing over to Russia on

Aug. 1-4 after being shelled from all around for weeks. But now some of them are

at risk of losing their freedom as five soldiers go on trial in

Russia, while another one is accused of desertion in Ukraine.

The

72nd brigade of the Ukrainian army was for weeks cut off

from supplies and reinforcements in Luhansk region close to the

Russian border and shelled by the Russians and separatists from all

sides. Seeing no other way to escape, 302 soldiers of this brigade

crossed over to Russia. All of them wanted to return to Ukraine, but

five were arrested and are set to face trial on July 8 in the city of

Krasny Sulin in Rostov region. They are accused of shelling the

Russian territory.