Ukraine's Armed Forces captures 21-year-old Russian conscript soldier
Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured a 21-year-old Russian Federation conscript, Artem Bezler.
Source: Strategic Communications Department of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Bezler's quote: "On 24 February, during military exercises that simulate fighting as much as possible, I crossed the border with Ukraine.
Instead of training, it turned out that the Russian army was carrying out death, ruin. The civilian population is suffering, even where there are no troops or military facilities.
Citizens, please! Do something. Take to the streets, to protest, appeal to the authorities.
We need to stop this war."
Details: Bezler says in the video that he was born in St. Petersburg on 27 February 2001. His military unit, №31985, is located in the city of Naro-Fominsk in the Moscow region.
Bezler was called up for military service.
Background:
- On 9 March, the Russian Defence Ministry "regretfully" admitted that Russian conscripts were fighting in Ukraine.
- Russian journalists also confirmed the presence of Russian conscripts on the territory of Ukraine. This implies that the Russian military command lacks contract soldiers to wage war, and they have decided to take a risky political step to use conscripts in the war abroad.
- On 7 March, the twelfth day of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Putin addressed Russian women and assured them that he would not involve conscripts and reservists in hostilities in Ukraine.
- According to the US Pentagon, as of 7 March, Russia had deployed all battalion tactical groups it had prepared for the capture and occupation of Ukraine.
