Inside Ukrainian POW camps: Russian soldiers' routine revealed
Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine are treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention. They engage in work and are assured decent living conditions, rather than merely idling about. In a recent documentary, they discuss their experiences in Ukrainian camps.
6:43 AM EST, November 10, 2023
Most of the prisoners emphasize the secrecy around the operation. Their commanders kept the nature of the invasion confidential until the last moment. The detainees stress that they are well-treated and regularly receive visits from United Nations and International Red Cross representatives.
At one camp in the Lviv region, prisoners participate in woodworking, and in their free time, they watch movies and read books.
Our routine includes getting up in the morning, having breakfast, and then attending roll call. We do exercises, learn proper marching techniques. Aside from our work, our daily schedule also involves playing soccer, reading books, and playing chess - one of the Russian prisoners narrates.
Official numbers of Russian soldiers held in Ukraine are currently unavailable. The number fluctuates due to regular prisoner exchanges.
Russia's Substantial Losses in the War
Colin Kahl, the US Under Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs, estimates that Russia has potentially lost half of its tanks and exhausted most of its precision weaponry. This has led to a "significant strategic defeat" for the Kremlin. He believes "Putin has lost" and that "Russia will emerge from this war weaker than before."
Vladimir Putin issued a decree for war mobilization against Ukraine on September 21. Approximately 300,000 reservists were expected to be conscripted for duty under this decree.
Currently, while Russian authorities assert that mobilization has concluded, no official decree marks its conclusion. Conflicting data exists on the exact number of mobilized personnel already deployed to the frontlines. While Putin claimed on November 4 that there were 49,000, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously stated a figure of 87,000.
