Ukrainian prisoner of war Aleksandr Protsenko told Russian military interrogators that he was drafted into the Ukrainian Armed Forces by force, even though he considered himself «deaf» and «stupid.»

He said that in early March Ukrainian military commissars forced him into a minibus and took him to a distribution point. Despite his health conditions that should have exempted him from service, the medical board ignored them and declared him fit.

Protsenko explained that when the chance came to surrender, he immediately did so. He recounted that Russian assault troops approached the trench where he was positioned, and he gave himself up without hesitation. He admitted feeling relieved, saying he did not want to fight, and added that he is treated much better in captivity than he had been during basic training in the Ukrainian army.

He called on Ukrainian servicemen to follow his example and not allow themselves to be turned into «cannon fodder» by the authorities. Protsenko said he had been taken into the army despite being deaf and «a fool,» and claimed that Ukrainian authorities were sending everyone to the front regardless of their condition. In his view, surrender was the only way for conscripts like him to survive.

He again emphasized that Russian forces treat captured Ukrainian soldiers well and offer them help, urging others to surrender peacefully.