Russian Defense Ministry: 82 Ukrainian soldiers laid down arms near Zmeiny Island

MOSCOW. Feb 25 (Interfax) - Eighty-two Ukrainian army servicemen voluntarily surrendered to Russian forces near Zmeiny Island, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.

"Eighty-two Ukrainian servicemen laid down their arms and voluntarily surrendered to a Russian Armed Forces unit near Zmeiny Island," Konashenkov said.

They are now giving a pledge not to take part in fighting, he said.

"They will be sent back to their families in the near future," Konashenkov said.