Konstantin

“I'm not saying we're the same as Ukrainians, but we are close. We all have relatives there. This just isn't good.”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin reflects on the closeness between Russians and Ukrainians despite the war.

“I know it probably doesn't excuse me, but it's a fact. I'm 44 now, I would be 60. So no.”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin continues explaining his decision to fight rather than serve a lengthy prison term.

“For me, 15 years in prison was too much,”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin, a drug dealer who enlisted to avoid a long prison sentence, explains his reasoning.

“I just want this to be over, as soon as possible.”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin expresses his wish for the war to end as soon as possible.

“But everyone I know there has had enough,”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin says people back home in the Donbas have grown weary of the war.

“It seems like they don't want to exchange us. I think we will be the last to go.”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin believes Russia is deprioritising the exchange of Ukrainian-born PoWs like himself.

“I see nothing good in any war, and in a war like this there can be nothing good a priori,”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin comments carefully on the nature of the war when asked about fighting fellow countrymen.

“Only a dozen or so have been transferred this year,”

Konstantin · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Konstantin notes that only a small number of Donbas-origin PoWs have been exchanged this year.