I think they both understood that return to Russia while Putin is still alive would not be good for their health.

Caught putting a tourniquet on his battle buddy...Recruited!

Don’t get captured by the Russians, doubt they’d let him pull that twice.

"Exploratory attack" is also called "reconnaissance by cannon fodder."

That is what thinking for yourself looks like. Good job on these two dudes. 💙💙💛💛💙💙💛💛

Not only do they escape prison, but they escape Moscovia as well. They will make more money and live better lives in the West.

war is ugly..

Comes to show how well The Russian generals treat their own troops, or "meat" as they call them. Why else did Wagner rebel?

Hopefully, they get good rotations, good food, and live as well as anyone can in this war. We all knew good people exist everywhere, even in Russia. We are just all waiting for the millions of good Russians to unite, stand up, and end this 19th century B.S. already.

There is a huge difference between these two convicts and orcs. They look and are intelligent. Apostle Dima Karpenko has said numerous times they're more normal than regular ruzzians, possibly because they don't get zombified with propaganda. I remember seeing the guy on the bus last summer volunteer. I wasn't sure if it was real or not. Glad to see he's on the side of good and is still alive.

The only Russian soldiers worth talking about.

Slava Ukraini the truth always comes out

Awesome reporting and i love Radio free Europe and Asia as it shows real news on the ground ! Thank you for all the work you do

It always makes me feel extremely fascinated while I'm watching a video about the ongoing war in Ukraine because we can keep abreast of lots of details about the current war thanks to technology; image just for a few second that what kind of things (which we cannot know because of lacking technology of those times) happened during the wars of the past centuries, it would be so awesome to make an interview with the participants of Napoleonic Wars, for example. Thus, our descendants maybe will have a great opportunity to be informed about our current world.

Its a dreadful situation for these young soldiers whether Russian or Ukrainian. I hate what is happening to all concerned. Peace asap. ☮️

Wagner group might be desolved because they lost their leader but they still have a brain to remember what happened and who killed him

Probably not a good idea to trust them.

Russia using it's own soldiers as cannon fodder. Imagine that.. cough cough.

Imagine that feeling when you turn back and they hand you a shovel (person prob knows immediately whats about to happen) and they are forced to start digging their own (zero way out or anywhere to run what would you do?

Only concerns are that in the increasing number of coverage these cases provide it leaves an entry for possible espionage attempts from Russia. Idk just a thought but glad these guys were given a chance by people he thought would only want him dead, they don’t want them fighting there at all so it’s nice to see a sense of humanizing understanding in zones of conflict.

The second chance Wagner or Russia would never truly give them.

A few good people among the russians.

RFE/RL, I hope to see a follow-up one day on these people whose lives are now so intertwined with this war...💙💛

Honestly USA should send our prisoners to fight in Ukraine . The prisoners would volunteer of course. Even 1 percent prison population is at least 10k soldiers. Plus all the prisoners that were in the military.

That has to be a difficult situation to be in, or to make a decision on what to do, but if they are open to doing so why not and what does Ukraine give them if they survive the war?

This Propaganda is not working. Just negotiate with Russia.

This is an awful war begun by Putin, was is disgusting. These are brave men, and I applaud them for making the right decision.

Asking for volunteers to swap sides in front of a bus load of previous comrades and now witnesses ain't exactly tactful, and probably not as fruitful as it could be.

🇦🇺💙💛✌ 🇺🇦 Slava Ukraini!

I strongly doubt that they will be able to return to Russia any time soon. Regardless, I wish them both the best of luck in making it through this terrible war.

What an intriguing title! It's fascinating to see stories that delve into the complexities of international conflicts and the unexpected paths people take. The idea of Russian prisoners ending up fighting for Ukraine certainly presents a unique perspective on the nature of war and personal choices. It's always enlightening to learn about the human side of geopolitical events and the diverse experiences of those involved.

Meanwhile some ukranians are doing the same but reverse side... I like how this news channel is so damn neutral. 🦄

Slava Ukrayini🇺🇦🙏❤️🇫🇮Glory to Ukraine🇺🇦🤝🇫🇮

In war as in love, the end justifies the means, Machiavelli said, true or not, reality surpasses truth and by far.

Хлопці! 👍

smart lads.

Awesome.... Slava Ukrani ✌️ ✌️ ✌️ 💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛🇺🇦💛

all conflict aside a coat flipper is always a coat flipper

terrible position to be in. clearly they can never go home. least theyre alive and can actually choose what to do with whats left of their lives.

Коллаборанты будут 0

It is not ethnicity but the faith that defines who we are.

There are traitors everywhere.

Lets all, hope this witness gets out to other good souled ruzzian troops who are thinking about defecting to fight w the Ukraine army. ...w Putin chances of survival are slim to zero. Who knows the Ukraineians might give these 2 options later, stay on the front or work behind the lines in supply transport , medic transports, Hope both good souls find a good life in Ukraine, family, jobs, peaceful life.

Ironically their fighting for Ukraines & Russias freedom.

It feels a bit like it's 1947 again, VOA on shortwave.

KYIV, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Thursday it was withdrawing troops from some parts of the eastern town of Avdiivka to better positions after months of heavy fighting, and battle-hardened reserve fighters from a crack brigade have joined the battle. Russia is trying to encircle and capture Avdiivka nearly two years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Kyiv's foothold in the town appears increasingly shaky, with its supply lines threatened. Capturing Avdiivka is key to Russia's aim of securing full control of the two provinces that make up the industrial Donbas region, and could hand President Vladimir Putin a battlefield victory to hold up to voters as he seeks re-election next month. "In Avdiivka a manoeuvre is underway in some places to withdraw our units to more advantageous positions, in some places to force (the Russians) out of positions," Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy said in televised comments.

Wow - I saw Adislav choosing to join the...was it Freedom of Russia unit? - over six months ago. Preferable to returning to Russia and being killed. If he's still alive he's exceeded all expectations. They cut a bit out, the recruiter in the bus asked him what unit he was with and he replied "Wagner". The recruiter nodded knowingly. It's good to know it went well and he's fighting on the better side now - and alive. Not sure I believe he always intended to surrender but there you go. Good luck to him and Mikhail!

Is it legal? Even as a mercenaries

Crazyyyy

They probably even got on prison for thinking by themselfs in the first place.

Outstanding

What could be more meaningless than an interview with a prisoner of war? It is obvious that he will tell you what they want to hear from him.

Why show there faces ?

These guys hafe say the light they are truly human

ਬਹੁਤ ਦਲੇਰੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਫੈਸਲਾ ❤

SLAVA UKRAINI 🟦🟦🟦 🟨🟨🟨 UNITED WE STAND

Where can I watch the full INTERVIEW?

👍

Traitors are bad for both sides.

OOoooooo..very dangerous !

I hope these young men survive and can turn their lives around and have a solid future in Ukraine or anywhere else but Russia. I wish them luck.

Предателей всегда ждет плачевный конец.

Because they are intelligent and good peoples.

После слов "наша зона бвла перекрыта в три кольца спецназа", я понял что человек очень честный и врать не будет

Are they going to Spain too?

horrible situation... fight against innocent people who only want to defend their country... but fighting against your own people?

❤

storm z is not wagner pmc

👑👑

They finally took the red pill🤣

Russian casaulties in Ukraine: Military personnel - aprx. 431550, Tanks - 6809, Ships (boats) - 26, Planes - 347, Helicopters - 325 and still counting...

Two of the smartest Russians. There must be a God!

This shows Ukraine violating several conventions including POW refoulment and civil defense commitments of partnership for peace directives 1994. Disarmament and peace building is more important than bloodshed coups.

What were they in jail for?

Knowing their options are death, internment or fighting I too would defect once capped and give into all the media bias during these reports to save my skin. This happens regularly in most if not all conflicts.

Whew! Tough decisions Best of luck!

Everyone in the comment section sound like a bunch of naive kids did everyone forget these two were pulled out of prison, 30 men go and 5 return where are the other 3 that he's talking about one's with him another's dead all of a sudden when two convicted felons say something it's not propaganda?

This was so informative

A good conduct record in a free Ukraine could gain them citizenship in a free nation full of hope and opportunity.

На канале у Дмитрия Апостоловича Карпенко есть интервью их 👍🏻

Damn it takes some balls to get sent to the front line of a war, see that your killing your brothers, get captured, and then go "You know what, my country is wrong, this is all bullshit. Im joining the other side." They of course know that being shipped back to Russia as POWs wouldnt be the best, but out of that bus full of guys only a few raised their hands.

Like you would let this happen, there undercover

They just want their own benefit only, not a Ukraine or Russia

"Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is funded in whole or in part by the United States Government." No more to say.

Please keep it like the way it is, Russian Human Brothers, FIGHTING FOR BETTER FUTURE, A Unique Opportunity Both Of You Have In Your HANDS, EMBRACED HONORED, DON'T WASTED, REWARD WILL FOLLOW

If man looks like this in Russia im moving to Russia lol

Brothers!✌️

This is so f-ed up in so many ways.

I'm fairly certain it's against the Geneva convention to enlist POWs into the army to fight against their home country.

Are the poligraphed!

Slava Ukraine

👍✨✨✨

Because when you have had a taste of what true freedom of choice means, you understand the true meaning of what defence of your own nation is. 'Be the change you want to see'.

Yes some went against Hitler in the war, even know that is where they were born.

Sounds like nothing changes really lol

Slava Evropa!

Ghosts of Jail

Redemption canbtake many forms

The opposite also happens ...

Take care of these guys. Not completelly trustful.