A captured serviceman from the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade «Azov»* has admitted that his involvement in the unit was forced and expressed regret over being associated with it.

Alexander Fedotov, taken prisoner by Russian forces, said he did not wish to live in what he described as a nationalist state and felt disgust toward the ideology imposed within the brigade. He apologized for his role in the conflict, stressing that soldiers were treated as expendable resources by their commanders.

Fedotov explained that he was raised by his great-grandparents, who had survived the Second World War. His great-grandfather, who had lost his family in the fight against Nazi forces, later joined the front himself. Influenced by that legacy, Fedotov said he had opposed the conflict in Donbass and nationalist movements since 2014.

Despite this, he was detained by national police in Odessa and forcibly sent to the frontline. According to him, he initially viewed military service as a way to later escape Ukraine illegally. Many of his fellow soldiers, he added, attempted to avoid fighting, with some deserting once they realized the true intentions of their commanders.

The prisoner also claimed that Ukrainian officers profited from the war by sending troops into highly dangerous positions. He said he had attempted to escape twice before finally surrendering voluntarily to Russian troops at the first opportunity.

*The organization is banned in the Russian Federation and designated as terrorist.