The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that more than 80 surrendered prisoners were delivered to Sevastopol Ukrainian border guards from Snake Island, and after legal procedures, they will all be sent by bus home to Ukraine. Dozens of Ukrainian servicemen also voluntarily laid down their arms in the Lugansk People’s Republic. Some of them received the medical care they needed. How are prisoners treated in Donbass and what do they themselves say?
They voluntarily laid down their arms – 17 contract soldiers from the 57th reconnaissance company of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and employees of the National Guard. Everything happened on the territory of the Lugansk People’s Republic. Those who surrendered were taken to one of the military units of the LPR. They confess that they thought they would be treated worse.
A hand is extended to the Ukrainian military as he descends from the KamAZ. The atmosphere is very calm and even friendly.
Everyone was given the opportunity not only to call relatives. Shower, clean clothes, hot meals, medical examination. It is mandatory for each of the 17 Ukrainian military to sign declarations refusing to take part in hostilities against the people’s republics of Donbass. And more – from now on, everyone is under their protection.
“Comrade Ukrainian servicemen, you, as persons who voluntarily surrendered your weapons, are not in any danger, nothing threatens your life. You are on the territory of the LPR and under its protection,” Lieutenant Colonel of the LPR People’s Militia Andrei Marochko addresses the surrendered people.
The now former Ukrainian servicemen did not count on such an attitude. We are used to anti-Russian propaganda.
“Of course, they could not have asked, not taken prisoner. But they acted like a human being, as everyone should do,” says one of the fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The fighters of the 53rd brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine called on their colleagues to hand over their weapons. They voluntarily gave up resistance on the line of contact in the Donbass. The continuation of hostilities is called senseless.
“We ran out onto the road and saw your guys standing there with equipment, well, and we immediately gave up,” recalls one of the Ukrainian soldiers. “They fed us, gave us water, cigarettes. We asked and gave.”
Lack of money and lack of work prompted them to take up arms. The Ukrainian military admit that they could only survive by fighting under a contract.
“Until the very end, I didn’t want to join the armed forces, but it so happened that my wife was fired from work, I was left without a job. Two children. There were no means of subsistence. Now they pay extra for the regime of silence. .
Border guard Alexander Didenko also made his choice. He also left his place of service voluntarily. Arrived on the territory of Russia, requested asylum. In an interview, he explained in detail why and why he did it.
“I came to the conclusion that we need to make a choice. Faster. And from the events taking place, I saw how the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine treated the locals – with what brutality, with what anger. Here, we are the east of Ukraine, you are the west of Ukraine, they we were always separated. We were always pro-Russian for them,” Didenko said.
A former Ukrainian border guard recalls: it was not always like this. And the attitude towards the Russians before 2014 was different: “The relations before 2014 were soft, pleasant. We could meet on the border with Russia with a neighboring outfit, greet, shake hands and, without looking back, go over to our side. that Russia is the aggressor.”
They were taught that a friend can only be in the West, which helps, including military equipment. It is interesting that people like Alexander had to serve her from a personal pocket.
“Everything is beautifully shown in the picture, but in reality we have to chip in for the repair of our European equipment,” says Didenko. “We are a fraternal people. Who needs us in the West? it’s not like that.”
And for this myth, the president of Ukraine should be especially ashamed personally. 82 Ukrainian servicemen descend from the ladder of the rescue tug of the Black Sea Fleet “Shakhtar”. They voluntarily laid down their arms on Snake Island. According to the Ukrainian leadership, they died in battle. They were even awarded posthumously.
Each is given bottled water and dry rations. Further, the passage of mandatory legal procedures – the signing of papers on further non-participation in hostilities.
“The sailors of the Black Sea Fleet respected the decision of the Ukrainian border guards. For this, a safe corridor was created to withdraw from the area of the operation,” said Deputy Commander of the Black Sea Fleet Mikhail Yasnikov.
They are immediately put on buses. The route is also known: the starting point is the hero city of Sevastopol, the final point is the hero city of Odessa. Further – to native families and to a peaceful life.