Captured Russian conscripts: Comrade Putin, you are wrong, you are lying, end the war

Russian conscripts captured in Ukraine state that their military leadership used deception to send them to war in Ukraine, that Russia commited a crime based on Vladimir Putin's whim, and that he should order the army out of Ukraine as soon as possible. 

Source: Five captured members of the Russian armed forces serving their conscription term, during a press conference on the 14 of March. 

Details: Russian citizens Oleksandr Morozov (born 2000, conscripted on 23.06.2021), Mikola Polshinkov (born 2001, conscripted on 30.06.2021), Anton Savin (born 2002, conscripted on 22.06.2021), Nejaz Achunov (born 2002, conscripted on 21.06.2021), Andrii Pozdeev (born 2003 conscripted om 23.06.2001) explain how they ended up on the territory of Ukraine.

There are hundreds of conscripts on Ukrainian territory. 

Oleksandr Morozov said: "They told us there would be field exercises on the territory of Russia. We were lied to."

According to Morozov, the young men were dropped off near the village of Romni in the region of Sumy (northeastern Ukraine), and were told to establish a checkpoint. Their rations had "expired years ago, it was disgusting", and their equipment "kept breaking all the time".

Morozov also said that Ukrainian Defence Forces "keep blasting our columns to dust, we are taking great numbers of casualties".

When the conscripts were already retreating back to Russia they were captured below Sumy.

In Morozov’s own words, the captured soldiers participated in the press conference of their own free will. He asked for forgiveness from the people of Ukraine, admitting that civilians, children and senior citizens were being killed. 

Quote from Morozov: "They are dying for nothing, just because of Putin, who is lying, who told the whole world there are no (Russian) conscripts here - here we are, five people, conscripts who just want to return home".

Details: Corporal Mikola Polshikov also said that between the 3rd and the 24th of February conscripts were undergoing field exercises in the regions of Kursk and Bilogorod, and near the end of exercises they started becoming suspicious, as their commanders began talking about a "ride to Kharkiv", and on the 23th, vehicles were given recognition markers - preparing them for active combat duty. 

They didn't believe they would really go to war: "Conscripts are never sent to war, we were told. As it turns out, they were fooling us".

According to Polshikov, on 24th of February they were organised into a tremendous column and 4 days later, under intentionally deceptive orders they stopped in the territory of Ukraine, close to the village of Romni.

They stayed for 5 days, set up camp and waited for additional supplies and fuel. After 5 days they rode off to meet with the supply column, reached a checkpoint and were engaged in combat. Then medics were sent to evacuate them. By the 7th of March they had already decided to surrender, as they had already fallen behind the supply column, and it became clear their comrades had abandoned them. 

Polishikov also said that of the 62 tanks that formed the column when it started, only 16 remained. "This tells you something about this, about how the war really is. These are great losses for us. We are seriously losing" - he said.

"While in captivity, I have not seen any fascists or Banderites. I have been treated well, despite the fact these peoples’ families are hiding in basements. I still envy those people who remained in Russia and found a way to buy themselves out of this war... I guess it was worth it to pay that 80 thousand (roubles) to purchase a (fake) service ticket, for truly terrifying things are happening here", said Mikola. 

He addressed the people of the Russian Federation: "Don't send your sons here. There are horrors here that I really can't describe to you. Our soldiers are dying here for nothing. Parents please - try to get us out of here. There is no need for a war here - no sense (in it) at all." 

Quote from Polishikov: "The armed forces of Ukraine are just protecting their country, we broke into their home, like fascists, without any point or purpose. They threw us down here like meat. And in the meantime the (Russian) aviation and artillery are bombing peaceful cities. I am certain that this will never be forgiven, but still I would still like to ask the Ukrainians to forgive us for how we invaded your home. 

"As for the Comrade President of the Russian Federation, I don't know why you say there are no conscripts here. I am sitting here with four of my comrades, who because of your whims were forced to commit such crimes here. For a falsehood. Even though none of us has fired a single shot...They are killing us, Comrade President.

"I want to say you are in the wrong, You are guilty for all of this. I ask you to end this as quickly as possible. To return all the military forces of the Russian Federation who were deceived into coming here back home. I ask you to give such an order. You have to stop this, Comrade President, this has to end. I feel deeply ashamed because of you, Comrade President...

(...) Mothers, do all you can over there, to end this as quickly as possible". 

Detail: Savin explained that, before their departure for Ukraine, his battalion had all of their mobile phones confiscated and were informed that they would be capturing Kyiv, and that after the end of the "operation" they would be given accolades. 

He said that Putin "lied and keeps lying" about there being no conscripts and about there being no attacks on civilian targets.

Pozdeev also stated: "All statements by Vladimir Putin about there being no conscripts in his military operation - that's a lie. He is a liar and a war criminal."