Russian soldier pleads to remain captive, fears return home
Many Russian soldiers at the front are dreaming of surrendering and not returning home. One such example is a serviceman captured by the border guards of the "Shkval" battalion. The man does not wish to be part of a prisoner exchange. "Let me stay," he says in a recording published online.
The captured Russian soldier was selected to participate in the prisoner exchange programme, but he would prefer not to be involved. Captured by Ukrainian border guards, the serviceman is reluctant to leave Ukraine.
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The man categorically refuses to return to Russia. "Allow me to stay here," he appealed to the officers interrogating him. His requests are, however, unlikely to be fulfilled. The serviceman will be handed over to his commanders.
The soldier explains that he ended up at the front due to an ultimatum. The authorities threatened him with imprisonment if he did not fight against Ukraine. He had three prior convictions and, instead of serving eight years behind bars, he opted for military service.
He was in prison. He doesn’t want to return to Russia
I was imprisoned for petty theft and drugs. I spent over a year in a cell and was supposed to serve eight years in total. They gave me a choice: prison or going to war. I decided to go. Please, let me stay here. I don't want to go back, says the Russian soldier with a trembling voice.
He explains that upon his return, he faces further imprisonment or other reprisals. He confirms that the Russian army command treats its subordinates in an exceptionally cruel manner, and the conditions in which Russians are barracked are extremely harsh.
Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the "Shkval" battalion, said the desperate soldier at the end.
The recording serves as further evidence that the Russian army does not respect its soldiers and treats them as cannon fodder.
