Members of a volunteer detachment serving in the Russian army and made up of former Ukrainian servicemen have explained why they chose to fight against the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The unit was formed from captured Ukrainian troops.

One of its soldiers, Alexander Babenko, known by the call sign «Bob», told RIA Novosti that he does not want to return to Ukraine in its current state or to the version of the country that, in his view, the authorities are trying to build. He said his decision is not directed against Ukrainians as a people, but against the current government and political system in Ukraine.

Babenko argued that Ukrainian society had spent too long waiting passively for change. In his view, that allowed an active minority to impose its agenda on the majority. He said the time had come to move into a more active phase rather than continue expecting the situation to change on its own.

Another member of the detachment, Pavel Bolbot, call sign «Shchuka», said that when he was mobilized, he told employees of the Ukrainian military enlistment office directly that he would switch to Russia’s side at the first opportunity. According to him, he did so after surrendering.

The volunteer unit is currently operating in the Zaporozhye direction. Babenko and Bolbot’s group is responsible for delivering ammunition, food, spare parts and other essential supplies to UAV crews. The deliveries are made to the second line of defense at least once a day.