From Russian Soldier to Ukrainian Ally: The Story of 'Black'

Defecting to Ukraine

According to Главком: A Russian soldier known by the call sign 'Black' has surrendered and now fights for Ukraine. Initially serving in the Russian army during the full-scale invasion, he was captured and subsequently joined the Russian Volunteer Corps, sharing the details of his defection and current service. His story is one of a small but growing number of Russian personnel switching sides.

Black joined the Russian occupation forces in early 2022. His unit was deployed to the temporarily occupied city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia in December 2022. After attempting to leave the army, he and five other soldiers were punished and reassigned to the Donetsk front. It was there that he surrendered to Ukrainian forces.

Following two months in captivity, Black made the decision to join the Russian Volunteer Corps. This choice, however, led to his family disowning him. He stated:

"I don't want to participate in this with them... I made a decision for myself – I would rather defend."

Impressions of the War

Black also shared his stark impressions of the war's reality, noting:

"We were told we would be welcomed with open arms. That everyone was happy and satisfied. But you look at the people – ordinary civilians were simply blocking the equipment with their own bodies, trying to stop it from entering."

According to him, his unit was sent as a 'beacon' to probe for enemy presence and see if they would be eliminated.

While in Enerhodar, Black gathered significant intelligence on enemy troop concentrations and equipment locations. He described this experience as crucial for understanding the battlefield situation. It is noted that over 100 Russian invaders surrendered this winter due to the work of Ukrainian drones, highlighting the effectiveness of modern technology in this conflict.

This case illustrates not just an individual soldier's choice but the broader context of the ongoing war. Black's defection points to the impact of information and civilian resistance on military morale. Simultaneously, the active use of Ukrainian drones, facilitating the surrender of Russian troops, underscores the critical role of innovative tactics in modern warfare.