Key facts
- A Ukrainian POW camp houses soldiers born in Ukraine who fought for Russia.
- Many Ukrainian-born soldiers fighting for Russia were raised in occupied territories with Russian schooling and media.
- Some prisoners joined voluntarily, citing Russian identity and a belief they were defending their land.
- Others claim they were forced to fight or joined to avoid lengthy prison sentences.
- Prisoners work in the camp to supplement their rations and buy necessities.
Many soldiers captured fighting for Russia in Ukraine were born in Ukraine, according to interviews conducted by the BBC. These individuals, often from eastern regions occupied since 2014, have been exposed to Russian schooling and media, leading to a blurred national identity and a perception of themselves as Russian. Some, like Anton, who grew up in occupied Donbas, insist they do not regret fighting for Russia, viewing it as defending their land. Others, like Artyom, express bitterness over their military experiences and pay disparities. A significant number of prisoners report that their comrades have been killed and that fewer people are volunteering to replace them, suggesting potential challenges for Russia in maintaining troop numbers without mass mobilization. Some prisoners claim they were forced to fight or joined to avoid lengthy prison sentences, with convict-soldiers facing grim odds of survival. Within the POW camp, prisoners engage in various forms of labor, such as making coffins and artificial Christmas trees, to earn money for better food and cigarettes. While Ukraine officially considers these individuals as Ukrainian citizens on trial for treason, they are held in POW camps alongside Russian soldiers. The motivations for fighting for Russia appear complex, ranging from deeply ingrained Russian identity and propaganda absorption to pragmatic decisions driven by financial incentives or the avoidance of legal punishment.