Anton
ON THE RECORD · 9 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“I consider myself Russian. A country means nothing, it's all about nationality. All my family are from Russia. All my roots are from there,”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Anton explains why, despite being born in Ukraine, he considers himself Russian.
“Then you get the SMS messages. Dead, dead, dead.”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Anton describes learning that friends who volunteered alongside him have since been killed.
“I don't regret my choice. I went to defend my land,”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Anton, an 18-year-old Ukrainian-born soldier captured fighting for Russia, explains why he does not regret joining the Russian army.
“It's a shame that people died, especially those who are innocent,”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Anton reflects on the deaths caused by the war while still supporting Russia's continued advance.
“But war is war. It could have been ended. But no-one wanted to do that.”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20
Anton continues his reflection on the war, saying it could have been ended earlier.
“They told me to mute my phone and hand it over,”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-19
Anton recounted how guards confiscated his phone after he was detained and taken to a militarised section of a state clinic in Kyiv.
“There was a strong sense of solidarity,”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-19
Anton told Al Jazeera about the camaraderie among men detained together at the military recruitment centre.
“I started to protest. The guard said, ‘Don’t push me to use physical methods on you. Give it to me now.’ So I did.”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-19
Anton described protesting the confiscation of his phone and the guard's warning before he handed it over.
“They shared their life stories and tried to offer advice and share their opinions, as well as their experiences of dealing with the guards.”
Anton · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-19
Anton described how detained men shared their life stories and advice while at the recruitment centre.