Russian conscripts captured by Ukrainian forces say they were tricked into believing the war was an exercise and have apologized for attacking Ukraine “like fascists”.
Five Russian prisoners, called up for military service in June 2021, spoke at a briefing at the Ukrainian Media Center in Kyiv, where they talked about their shame for invading Ukraine.
One spoke of how his battalion ran out of food and their vehicles continued to break through just days after the Russian invasion, leaving them with only six tanks out of the 30 they started with.
Alexander Morozov, 22, from Moscow, was called up for military service last June, is a private first class and is part of the main body of the Russian army as a junior soldier moving through the ranks.
He said the soldiers had been tricked into believing they were training in the fields in Russia, where they were being given years-old rations.
“When we entered the territory of Ukraine, we reached the city of Romny, our task was to set up a checkpoint and simply inspect the cars … We were taken prisoner near the city of Sumy,” Mr. Morozov explained.
“I thought that in captivity they would beat us, humiliate us, and not give us food or water. In the end, it turned out the other way around: we were given food, water, we had a place to sleep, we were given warm clothes.”
Russian conscripts captured by Ukrainian forces say they were tricked into believing the war was an exercise and apologized for attacking Ukraine “like fascists” )
Nikolai Polshchikov, 21, pictured, said that after two months of service in his regiment, the troops were sent to exercises in Kursk and Belgorod, explaining that by the end of the exercises, their military equipment was marked with the letter Z and was prepared for combat operations. operations
The 22-year-old man described how their equipment kept breaking down as they drove towards Romne.
“Ukrainians are a strong people, they fight like animals,” Mr. Morozov said. “Their plane completely breaks our columns. Our side is suffering heavy losses: technicians, sergeants, officers, soldiers. And we want to stop it.
“I want to apologize to all of Ukraine for coming here. I don’t want violence in this country. I’m very embarrassed.
He added that Vladimir Putin was “lying” by telling the world that conscripts were not involved in the “military operation”.
Nikolai Polshchikov, 21, who is also a private first class in the Russian army and lives in Ryazan in western Russia, said that after only two months in his regiment, troops were sent to train in Kursk and Belgorod, and like Mr. Morozov, also ended up not far from the city of Romny.
Captured Russian conscripts are pictured from left to right: Nikolai Polshchikov, Niyaz Akhunov, Alexander Morozov, Anton Savin and Andrey Pozdeev. The prisoners, who were all called up for military service in June 2021, spoke at a briefing at the Ukrainian Media Center in Kyiv, where they talked about their shame for invading Ukraine
Anton Savin, 20, from Solikamsk in western Russia’s Perm Territory, said his tank regiment was also sent to the drills, only to have their phones taken from them. They were then told that they had to “leave for Ukraine to carry out the combat mission of capturing the city of Kyiv and freeing the civilian population of Ukraine from the so-called Bandera and neo-Nazis.”
He explained that by the end of the exercise, their military equipment was marked with the letter Z and was preparing for combat operations.
Pro-Putin politicians, activists, and influencers were seen wearing “Z” clothing and badges to show their support for the invasion of Ukraine, and were seen riding Russian tanks and military vehicles entering Ukraine, which became a symbol of the invasion.
“I want to appeal to the citizens of my country, to the parents whose sons serve and whose children are going to serve.
“Don’t send them here, because very terrible things are happening here that you don’t know about… Here the Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to protect their country. We broke into their house like fascists.
“Not knowing the goals, tasks. We are just being killed. Our aircraft and artillery are bombing peaceful cities. I apologize to the people of Ukraine for breaking into your house.
19-year-old Siberian Andrei Pozdeev, who lives in Irkutsk, recalled the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, before which they were told: “Don’t be afraid, no one will take you to Ukraine,” instead, believing, they led a training march through Russia
“We came under fire, I was wounded and saw many dead, many wounded. There were over 150 conscripts in my battalion.”
According to Polshchikov, he said there are people who buy off participation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine by bribing their commanders to stay in Russia.
He added that “the only thing he thinks he could die from if he continues his invasion as a Russian soldier is Russian aircraft strikes.”
Anton Savin, 20, from Solikamsk in western Russia’s Perm Territory, said his tank regiment was also sent to the drills, only to have their phones taken from them.
They were then told that they should “go to Ukraine to perform a combat mission to capture the city of Kyiv and liberate the civilian population of Ukraine from the so-called Bandera and neo-Nazis,” Salvin said.
He added that they would receive a “cash reward” after the operation was completed.
“We didn’t have the opportunity to escape from there, we were put in tanks… And on the morning of February 24, we were already on the territory of Ukraine…,” Salvin said.
Niyaz Akhunov, 20, was another soldier taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces in what he said was “scary” at first, but they were all quickly given medicine, dressed and treated well – he apologized to the Ukrainian people for crossing the border and “bombing your cities”
Mykola Polshchikov said he wanted to appeal to Russian citizens “not to send them here”: “Very terrible things are happening here that you don’t suspect… Here the Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to protect their country. We broke into their house like fascists.
“After a few days, we ran out of food. Our equipment broke down along the way. Only 6 tanks out of 30 and 2 armored personnel carriers remained.”
Niyaz Akhunov, 20, was another soldier taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces in what he said was “scary” at first, but they were all quickly given medicine, dressed and treated well.
He said: “This is a senseless war into which we were thrown — conscripts who did not see real hostilities … I would like to apologize to all the Ukrainian people for crossing the border with Ukraine, coming to you with weapons, bombing your cities. ‘
19-year-old Siberian Andrey Pozdeev, who lives in Irkutsk, recalled the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, before which they were told: “Don’t be afraid, no one will take you to Ukraine,” instead, believing, they made a training march through Russia.
President Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine on February 24, shelling and destroying infrastructure and destroying thousands of residential areas in Ukrainian cities and towns with artillery and rockets. (Firefighters pictured in Kyiv extinguish a 16-story apartment building on March 15)
“There was a morning queue, and we were told: “For those who did not understand, you are on the territory of Ukraine.” And all the statements of Vladimir Putin that there are no conscripts in his military operation are lies.”
President Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine on February 24, shelling and destroying infrastructure and destroying thousands of residential areas in Ukrainian cities and towns with artillery and rockets.