Russian soldier begs to avoid exchange, refuses return to Russia
Many Russian soldiers on the front dream of surrendering and not returning home. An example is a serviceman captured by the border guards of the "Shkval" battalion. The man does not want 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 program, but he would prefer not to take part in it. Captured by Ukrainian border guards, the serviceman does not want to leave Ukraine.
The man categorically refused to return to Russia. "Let me to stay here," he appealed to the officers interrogating him. His requests are unlikely to be granted, so the serviceman will be handed over to his commanders.
The soldier explains that he ended up on the front due to an ultimatum. The authorities threatened him with prison if he did not go to fight against Ukraine. He previously had three convictions, and instead of eight years behind bars, he chose 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. I was supposed to spend eight years in total. They gave me a choice: cell 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 he faces another imprisonment or reprisals upon his return. 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 difficult.
Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the "Shkval" battalion, said the desperate soldier at the end.
The recording is further evidence that the Russian army does not respect its soldiers and treats them as cannon fodder.
