About two dozen fighters line up and listen attentively to the commander’s orders. Then, they receive ammunition and load their weapons before the start of the open training. Almost all of them are from Russia, including representatives of the indigenous nations of the Trans-Urals and Siberia. Each has a different story, but they are united by one thing: a desire to defend Ukraine and confront the terroristic Russia.
During a break between exercises, we talk to 29-year-old Hennadiy, a native of the Republic of Buryatia. He left Russia in the spring of 2022 and has been looking for a way to get to Ukraine to join the armed forces ever since. Appeals to various organizations failed, so he decided to contact the Armed Forces directly. Eventually, he received a response. A series of checks followed, and now, together with other Russians, he is training here today as part of the Siberian battalion to begin performing combat missions on the front line on the Ukrainian side.
“We don’t live very well, how can I put it?” Hennadiy says about his homeland. “We have such riches: minerals, forests, Lake Baikal. But all of this is sold and taken to Moscow and we are given crumbs. That is why people have to go to other regions or countries to work. But in Moscow, you are treated like a second-class citizen. I don’t understand how a person can continue to live like this.”
Starting in 2014, Hennadiy repeatedly took part in rallies in support of Ukraine. He covered them on social media and did not hide his face, which is why he received threats on several occasions.
“I wasn’t afraid. It is because we are afraid that we have lost our future. We allowed Putin to come here with his troops. If we hadn’t been afraid and stood up together, this would not have happened. Enough.”
“When the full-scale invasion began, I was ashamed of my countrymen. Where is Ukraine and where is Buryatia? What is the ‘Russian peace’? So I decided not only to talk but also to show through action,” says the fighter about his decision to join the Ukrainian army.
Probably, Hennadiy is wanted by Russian special services for his activities. However, he jokes that they will not get him.
He finishes his cigarette and returns to training. He leaves us with this message to Russian army soldiers: “I can say to those on the other side. Surrender and join us. Victory is just around the corner, I can feel it.”
Photo: Danylo Dubchak, Eva Fomycheva
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