Russian Soldiers’ Desperate Voices in Ukraine War

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a troubling trend emerges as Russian soldiers express their desire to escape the harsh realities of war. Secret recordings, obtained by The Big Big News, reveal the voices of Russian soldiers seeking refuge, shedding light on the war from a Russian perspective—an angle often overshadowed in Western media due to Russia’s stringent suppression of honest discussions about the Ukraine conflict. These recordings also expose the evolution of the war, from professional soldiers who initiated Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion to civilians pressed into service under grueling conditions.

In the midst of a second winter of warfare, it’s evident that many Russian soldiers want out, as evidenced by these candid phone calls home from the battlefields in Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions. The soldiers’ testimonies paint a bleak picture of their experiences. One soldier lamented, “There’s no f—— ‘dying the death of the brave’ here; you just die like a f—— earthworm.”

The specter of another mobilization wave looms, despite Moscow’s attempts to entice individuals into military contracts through its annual autumn conscription draft. This year, some 130,000 young men were conscripted, with Moscow assuring that they wouldn’t be sent to Ukraine. However, after a year of service, these conscripts automatically become reservists, making them prime candidates for future mobilization.

The authenticity of these calls was verified by The Associated Press (AP) through discussions with soldiers and their relatives, as well as by examining open-source information related to the phone numbers used by the soldiers. These conversations, captured in January 2023, offer insights into the soldiers’ diverse backgrounds. Some were compelled to serve due to financial constraints, lack of education, or a sense of patriotic duty. The soldiers’ diverse experiences highlight the complexity of their motivations and the challenges they face.

While these voices offer a glimpse into the despair among some Russian soldiers, it is important to note that they may not represent the sentiment of all personnel in Russia’s armed forces. Nevertheless, they underscore the growing desperation among those who have been unwillingly thrust into the war.

One soldier, speaking from Kharkiv, described the situation as “simply genocide” and expressed a grim outlook, suggesting that if the conflict continues, Russians may end up leading Ukrainians to the Kremlin themselves.

Conversely, there are soldiers like Artyom, who remain committed to their duties. Artyom, stationed in eastern Ukraine for eight months without respite, expressed determination, stating, “As long as we are needed here, we will carry out our task.”

The Kremlin and the Russian Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the recorded conversations, leaving the soldiers’ voices to speak for themselves.

In the midst of these dire circumstances, the soldiers face numerous challenges, from inadequate equipment to the constant fear of harm. Their stories convey the harsh realities of warfare and the profound impact it has on their lives. These recordings provide a sobering reminder of the toll war takes on those caught in its grip.

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• The Associated Press (AP)
• The Big Big News