Russian prisoners of war have found themselves fighting alongside anti-Kremlin militias in support of Ukraine’s war effort. A notable militia is the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), led by Denis Kapustin, who has recruited Russian soldiers to join their ranks. Vlad, a former Russian soldier, was one of the POWs who made the switch, stating his desire to make amends for past mistakes and fight for a new Russia. He had previously been involved in the hooligan movement and enlisted in the army while serving a prison sentence. However, he became disillusioned with the Russian army’s tactics and saw joining Ukraine as a chance to stand up for what he believed in.
Mikhail Viktorovich Pavlov, another former prisoner, shared similar sentiments. Sentenced to six years for drug possession, he believed the charges were fabricated to silence his criticism of local authorities. He saw joining the Ukrainian forces as a way to gain freedom and turn against the Russian government. Pavlov and Vlad, now members of the RVC, took part in an incursion into Belgorod and expressed no desire to return to Russia. They claimed to have found meaningful connections in Ukraine and stated that Russia could offer them nothing. The RVC, one of three all-Russian units fighting for Ukraine, seeks to liberate Russia from what they perceive as occupiers and has political ambitions to remove Russian President Vladimir Putin from power. While concerns about coercion exist, the recruits emphasize their voluntary decision to fight for the cause of anti-Kremlin militias and Ukraine.
