Putin’s invasion was a ‘horrible mistake’: Russian prisoners of struggle voice disgrace about battle

Captured Russian troopers have described listening to their very own air pressure bombing faculties, hospitals and kindergartens in Ukraine, as they admitted Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion was a ‘horrible mistake’.

One fighter-bomber pilot, Maxim, was filmed sobbing as he apologised to Ukrainians for invading their nation below Putin’s orders.

He mentioned he had solely obtained his “secret combat order” the day earlier than Putin introduced the “special military operation” towards Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine struggle LIVE

Maxim additional mentioned that the pilots had been requested what they considered Putin’s claims that Ukraine was run by neo-Nazis.

“I think it was invented as a pretext and is something that the world cannot understand,” Maxim mentioned. “But Putin and his circle need this in order to achieve their own objectives. One such step was that it would be beneficial for them to spread disinformation about fascism and Nazism.”

“We didn’t see any Nazis or fascists. Russians and Ukrainians can communicate in the same language, so we see the good [in these people],” Maxim mentioned.

He mentioned: “It’s hard to give a direct assessment of his actions. But, at the bare minimum, judging by the consequences of his orders, he is incorrect.”

READ | Sanctions-savaged Russia teeters on brink of historic default

YOU CANNOT FORGIVE SUCH THINGS

Slamming the Russian govt, Maxim mentioned, “It’s not just about demilitarising Ukraine or the defeat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but now cities of peaceful civilians are being destroyed. Even, I don’t know, what can justify, f**k, the tears of a child, or even worse, the deaths of innocent people, children.”

He acknowledged that they had been conscious of what had occurred in locations equivalent to Mariupol, the place practically 1,600 individuals had died because the invasion started.

“It was a horrifying fact, not just because it is a crime. It’s vandalism. You cannot forgive such things. To bomb a maternity ward?” he mentioned.

“It’s the most perverse f**king form of neo-Nazism, neo-fascism. Who could think of such a thing?, said Maxim, as quoted by CNN.

READ | US Senate unanimously condemns Putin as war criminal

EVERYONE WANTS PEACE

A captured reconnaissance officer named Vladimir stated that he wishes to tell Putin that terrorist acts in Ukraine must cease.

“Our authorities instructed us we have to liberate the civilian inhabitants. I need to inform Russian servicemen: lay down your arms and depart your stations, do not come right here. Everyone needs peace right here,” he said.

“I need to inform our commander-in-chief to cease terror acts in Ukraine as a result of once we come again we’ll rise towards him,” he added.

READ | Top UN court likely to deliver verdict on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine today

LAST MINUTE ORDERS

Russian officers claimed they were given combat orders the day before Putin declared the invasion. Then something unexpected happened.

“The order was withdrawn. Part of the air pressure, which had already taken off, was pressured to return. We had been relieved, believing that issues had been settled peacefully,” said Maxim, a fighter-bomber pilot. However, he was incorrect. He soon received a list of coordinates for targets in eastern Ukraine, near Izium and Chuhuiv.

Other Russian soldiers captured by the Ukrainians have also spoken of last-minute orders.

Sergey, who was with an artillery unit, said in an earlier media briefing that “at 10:00 am on the twenty third [of February] they had been lined up and instructed by the commander about Putin’s order to assault Ukraine, seize Kyiv and “protect the population against fascism and tyranny in Ukraine.”

WE WILL BE JUDGED

“The crimes that we committed; we all will be judged the same. Other than that, I cannot say. It’s impossible to guess … They will judge us,” mentioned Maxim.

Another soldier at a unique briefing expressed comparable sentiments.

“It’s terrible to realise we’ve made a mistake. It will take years, decades, or centuries to repair relations,” he mentioned, including, “I wish I could sink into the earth and vanish.”

(With CNN inputs)

READ | Sanctions-savaged Russia teeters on brink of historic default

WATCH | After talks, US and France to strengthen sanctions on Russia