Russian soldier deserts after posting tragic video on Ukraine battle

Jewgienij Zarubin, who resides permanently in Kursk, Russia, recorded a dramatic video tearfully discussing the heavy losses in his unit. He is now being sought after "leaving the unit without permission." Authorities are expected to issue a federal arrest warrant for him on Monday.

Jewgienij Zarubin was a trainer for the Storm Z* units, known for suffering the heaviest battlefield losses. He served in the 138th Brigade. Zarubin gained attention when he posted a dramatic video online in mid-July.

Shaking and in tears, Zarubin recounted the assault on the Ukrainian town of Vovchansk. "Out of 46 people, 30 returned. Many comrades died. I'm sorry for those I couldn't save," he said. Many Russians were injured.

"The face of the Russian offensive in Kharkiv. Out of 46 soldiers, only 30 managed to come out alive, according to Putin's whim, and many of them were wounded. They fight to the last Russian, exhaust their strength, cry, but like zombies, they keep going to their deaths," commented Yuriy Butusov, chief editor of Censor.Net.

According to ASTRA, Zarubin fled his unit, though the exact timing is unclear. Authorities are currently searching for him for "leaving the unit without permission."

"Tomorrow," a military official responsible for the search said in an interview with journalists, "we will place him on the federal wanted list. We don't know what happened. We still can't find his weapon. Therefore, we are searching for him as particularly dangerous."

*Storm Z is a penal military unit established by Russia in April 2023. Soldiers who abuse alcohol or drugs, as well as criminals, are sent there. Storm Z units sustain the most significant losses on the front and are used for so-called "meat assaults."