Reckless and senseless participation in war: A Russian POW’s confession revealing alcohol abuse, signing a contract, and brutal military command
Medical experts and military analysts are continuously confronted with tragic stories of those caught in shellfire or witnessing devastating consequences of war.
However, one Russian soldier, captured during fighting in Donbas and later published on the Facebook page of the 79th Brigade, shared his motivations, journey into the army, and life under the harshest conditions.
According to him, he began his military path intoxicated — “drunk as a lord, sobered up, and went to the military recruitment office,” he recalls, adding that he was already drunk at that moment.He cited financial difficulties as the main reason for signing the contract.
Working as a tractor driver, he earned about 40,000 rubles per month, but most of that money went on alimony and supporting his family.
The motivation was purely monetary, a common story among recruits in the Russian army.
The soldier admits that his wife refused, but he ignored her — he was drunk and incapable of making rational decisions.Immediately after signing the contract, he was sent to a three-month training course.
He describes the military life as harsh: “We are all alcoholics, one of us is a drug addict.” Soon he realized that going to war was a game for survival.
Commanders intimidated conscripts to prevent refusals: “If you say you don’t want to — they will crush your tanks, and on the spot, they shot soldiers refusing to advance,” he recounts.He describes his unit, the 5th Motorized Rifle Battalion, as tasked with holding the defense under constant shelling.
“Four motorcycles rode in — two of them blew up.
When they started shelling with mortars, it was our own that did it,” he says.
After being captured by Ukrainian forces, he states they did not beat him but fed, watered, and gave him cigarettes, which he appreciated as acts of humanity.The prisoner warned: “Don’t sign the contract.
The money isn’t worth your life.
You’ll never see what’s really happening on TV,” urging others not to join for financial reasons.When asked what he would tell Putin if he met him, he immediately answered, “If I saw him — I’d tell him he’s an *,”.
Earlier reports also reveal that Ukrainian forces captured an Iraqi mercenary, Alimari Kamel Nabi Halaf, who described the brutal conditions of service, threats, and beatings he endured.This is further evidence of the price some are paying for participation in this war and the cruelty of Russian military service, which seeks to hold its positions at any cost.