Excellent read
Eventually, a Ukrainian soldier came down to the basement. The wounded Russian soldier told them not to shoot and signaled Batraz to come out as well. "That's how we were captured. They treated us well, we got food, cigarettes, water. We talked, passed the time well, and then they handed us over, and after being passed from one group to another, I ended up here." Batraz has been in the camp since June.
He doesn’t complain about the conditions, initially not even about the Russian state, whose goals have put him here, in captivity, but then, a little bit, he does. He considers the elections to be free, and according to him, Putin is in power because of the will of the majority.
So there is a war because Russian society supports it?
I think so, yes.
So does Russian society bear responsibility for the fact that a war has started? So it’s not just Putin who wants it, but the majority of society as well?
Yes.
And what is Russia's goal in this?
Well, I don't know.
But you said that society supports it. So what is it supporting if it doesn’t know the goals?
Well, the propaganda is strong too.
Whose?
Well, on phones, social networks, in Russia. Yes, there is a lot of propaganda.
And this convinced society to support the war?
Well, yes, the propaganda.
But doesn’t that mean the government is deceiving society?
Well, in the end, yes. Honestly, if I think it through, since I was captured, neither before nor since have I met a single bad person here. Okay, there were times they were tough during interrogations, verbally, but beating or anything like that, no. I haven’t seen a single fascist. They treat us well here, we eat three times a day.
So did Russia give a false image of Ukraine?
Well, then yes.
So you are a victim of political deception?
Well, yes. I wouldn’t go back to the army anymore.
Would you vote for Putin?
I wouldn’t vote for anyone anymore. I have the right to that. Honestly, I’ve had enough. Maybe it’s not too late, I’d start a family, work, live quietly until the end of my life, I don’t need anything else.