Key facts
- Reporter visited a Ukrainian POW camp on June 25, 2026.
- Russian contract soldiers interviewed were from Siberia.
Reporter reflects on Russian POWs after visiting Ukraine camp
IN SHORT
A reporter visited a Ukrainian prisoner of war camp on June 25, 2026, to understand why Russian soldiers volunteer to fight in Ukraine. The visit aimed to humanize the enemy and explore motivations beyond stated patriotism, particularly in light of recent controversial comments from public figures regarding sympathy for Russian soldiers.
Who's Involved
Francis Farrell
photographer for The Kyiv Independent
Pavel Malikov
Russian soldier and former Spetsnaz member
Oleg Krasikov
Russian soldier from Buryatia
Donald Trump
former US president
Elon Musk
commentator on X
Vladimir Putin
Russian president
Volodymyr Zelenskiy
Ukrainian president
↳ Why This Matters
The report provides insight into the motivations of Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, offering a counterpoint to public discussions about sympathy for the aggressor's forces.